Afghanistan's first parliamentary election since the fall of the Taleban will not take place on time, the United Nations has said.
The poll was due to take place by 21 May, but logistical and security concerns have prevented President Hamid Karzai making an official announcement.
Under Afghanistan's new constitution any poll must be announced 90 days before it is scheduled to take place.
Correspondents say the election could be delayed by up to six months.
Voting system
United Nations officials in Afghanistan confirmed that plans to hold the vote during the Afghan month of Saur, which ends on 21 May, had been shelved.
"We are already into the 90-day period," UN spokesman Manoel de Almeida e Silva said.
Important decisions still remain over voting systems, voter registration and electoral boundaries.
Correspondents say the planned system could favour independent candidates, including warlords, so officials may consider a switch to one more beneficial to emerging political parties.
A decision is also needed on whether to reopen registration to returning refugees.
Despite the problems, the UN said it remained hopeful that President Karzai would announce a firm election date in the coming days.
Presidential and parliamentary elections had been due to take place in June 2004 but voter registration and security concerns forced delays.
The presidential poll was held in October last year, bringing Mr Karzai a landslide victory, but the parliamentary polls were again put off.
If a date in June this year is not met, a command change in international security forces might delay a poll to September.
Large numbers of Afghans turned out for the country's presidential election, which was largely peaceful.
Threats of large scale disruption by the Taleban were not realised.
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