The Independent Election Commission (IEC) said preliminary winners would hold their seats in southeastern Ghazni province. The results were delayed because the victors are all ethnic Hazaras even though around half Ghazni's population is Pashtun.

Pashtun areas were plagued by the worst violence on the day of the vote, and in one district just three people voted.

Election officials released results for Afghanistan's other 33 provinces and for Kuchi nomads a week ago, but delayed Ghazni because of technical issues and irregularities.

There were concerns Pashtuns might react badly if all seats went to the Hazaras, and also speculation that the IEC might call a rerun in Ghazni, or allow the members from the last parliament, who reflect a more balanced ethnic mix, to stay in their seats while a deal was worked out.

But in the end the election organizer stuck with the votes, holding on to some credibility after a much-criticized poll.

There was no indication when a new wolesi jirga, or lower house of parliament, would be formed. Election officials had suggested last week the new 249-seat house would be formed soon.