what is up with that?

The Afgan elections; already shown to have been subject to 1st round
fraud (albeit with a scandal at the UN and accusations of a cover up),
were finally to proceed to second vote.
Then the opposition leader then steps aside and there is not a further
vote. The original 1st round winner (who's brother worked for the cia)
takes the prize.

I am honestly not making this stuff up. What is up with all this?