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LONDON (AP) — The son of a bus driver from Pakistan is poised to become the first Muslim mayor of London.
Labor Party politician Sadiq Khan is the leader as votes are counted from today's election. He's opened up a lead over Conservative rival Zac Goldsmith, with a majority of first-preference votes counted. A final result is due this evening, once voters' second preferences are factored in.
The race to replace Conservative Mayor Boris Johnson has been marred by American-style negative campaigning and allegations of extremism and fear-mongering.
Goldsmith, a wealthy environmentalist, described Khan as "dangerous" and accused him of giving "platforms, oxygen and even cover" to Islamic extremists. It's a charge that's been repeated by Prime Minister David Cameron and other senior Conservatives.
Khan calls himself "the British Muslim who will take the fight to the extremists." He's accused Goldsmith of trying to scare and divide voters in a proudly multicultural city of 8.6 million people — more than 1 million of them Muslims.
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