A national survey in Afghanistan finds a virtual dead heat in the presidential runoff election between Abdullah Abdullah and Ashraf Ghani, with sharp ethnic and regional differences among likely voters. But the poll also finds opportunity for substantial acceptance of the eventual outcome, with more than seven in 10 Afghans saying they’ll see whichever candidates wins as the country’s legitimate leader.

The survey was conducted by ACSOR-Surveys in Kabul, with analysis by Langer Research Associates. Details are available here, and the study will be presented this afternoon at the annual conference of the American Association for Public Opinion Research in Anaheim, California.