A powerful governor in northern Afghanistan has pledged to reject any declaration of Hamid Karzai as the winner of the country’s flawed elections unless the president invites his opponents to join a future coalition government.

Atta Mohammad Noor, governor of Balkh province, issued his warning shortly before election officials were due to announce the results of a recount that will either confirm Mr Karzai as winner or indicate a run-off with Abdullah Abdullah, his rival.