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Afghan presidential election: Heavy security as polls open Afghan presidential election: Heavy security as polls open
(about 1 hour later)
Voting is under way in Afghanistan's presidential poll amid heavy security and bomb attacks from insurgents.Voting is under way in Afghanistan's presidential poll amid heavy security and bomb attacks from insurgents.
More than 70,000 security forces have been deployed across the country to counter Taliban militants who have vowed to target polling stations.More than 70,000 security forces have been deployed across the country to counter Taliban militants who have vowed to target polling stations.
The twice-delayed vote is taking place after Taliban-US peace talks collapsed earlier this month.The twice-delayed vote is taking place after Taliban-US peace talks collapsed earlier this month.
The two main candidates are the incumbent, Ashraf Ghani, and chief executive, Abdullah Abdullah.The two main candidates are the incumbent, Ashraf Ghani, and chief executive, Abdullah Abdullah.
They have shared power since 2014 in a unity government.They have shared power since 2014 in a unity government.
At least one person has been killed and 27 others wounded in bomb and mortar attacks on voting centres.At least one person has been killed and 27 others wounded in bomb and mortar attacks on voting centres.
But in the southern city of Kandahar, women were seen standing in queues to vote, despite a bomb attack on a polling station.But in the southern city of Kandahar, women were seen standing in queues to vote, despite a bomb attack on a polling station.
Women voters make up 35% of the more than nine million Afghans registered to vote.Women voters make up 35% of the more than nine million Afghans registered to vote.
Turnout is expected to be low, but one voter said she would cast her vote even if it meant standing in long queues for hours.Turnout is expected to be low, but one voter said she would cast her vote even if it meant standing in long queues for hours.
"Bravado gets defined when one musters courage to cast their vote in Afghanistan," said Roya Jahangir, a doctor based in the capital, Kabul. "Bravery is defined when one musters the courage to cast their vote in Afghanistan," said Roya Jahangir, a doctor based in the capital, Kabul.
"We hope this time there is no fraud - otherwise voters will feel cheated once again," she told Reuters news agency."We hope this time there is no fraud - otherwise voters will feel cheated once again," she told Reuters news agency.
Why does this election matter?Why does this election matter?
Afghanistan's next president will lead a country devastated by four decades of war. The conflict continues to kill thousands of people every year, drawing in forces from around the world.Afghanistan's next president will lead a country devastated by four decades of war. The conflict continues to kill thousands of people every year, drawing in forces from around the world.
Nearly two decades since the international community intervened, the US has been trying to negotiate an end to the conflict with the Taliban.Nearly two decades since the international community intervened, the US has been trying to negotiate an end to the conflict with the Taliban.
The US currently has about 14,000 troops in Afghanistan, and there are thousands more from countries part of a Nato mission to train, advise and assist the country's security forces.The US currently has about 14,000 troops in Afghanistan, and there are thousands more from countries part of a Nato mission to train, advise and assist the country's security forces.
Whoever is elected president in the fourth election since US-led troops ousted the Taliban in 2001 should have a key role to play.Whoever is elected president in the fourth election since US-led troops ousted the Taliban in 2001 should have a key role to play.
However, the Taliban currently refuse to negotiate directly with the Afghan government, saying it is illegitimate. They say they will only talk to Afghan authorities after a deal with the US is agreed.However, the Taliban currently refuse to negotiate directly with the Afghan government, saying it is illegitimate. They say they will only talk to Afghan authorities after a deal with the US is agreed.
Who sits at the head of Afghanistan's government matters to the people caught in the crossfire between the army, the Taliban and other insurgents.Who sits at the head of Afghanistan's government matters to the people caught in the crossfire between the army, the Taliban and other insurgents.
BBC research found an average of 74 men, women and children died in the conflict every day during the month of August across Afghanistan. A fifth of those killed were civilians.BBC research found an average of 74 men, women and children died in the conflict every day during the month of August across Afghanistan. A fifth of those killed were civilians.
According to the United Nations, more civilians were killed by Afghan and US forces in the first half of this year than by insurgents.According to the United Nations, more civilians were killed by Afghan and US forces in the first half of this year than by insurgents.
What are the other issues?What are the other issues?
Five years ago, the presidential election was mired by allegations of fraud and vote-rigging. It took months to reach a result, with a deal between the two main contenders negotiated by the US ending in a "national unity government".Five years ago, the presidential election was mired by allegations of fraud and vote-rigging. It took months to reach a result, with a deal between the two main contenders negotiated by the US ending in a "national unity government".
Hopes are not high that things will be better this time.Hopes are not high that things will be better this time.
Out of a population of about 37 million, fewer than 10 million are registered to vote - and even fewer are expected to cast a ballot. A poll carried out by the Transparent Election Foundation of Afghanistan found more than half of respondents were not planning to vote.Out of a population of about 37 million, fewer than 10 million are registered to vote - and even fewer are expected to cast a ballot. A poll carried out by the Transparent Election Foundation of Afghanistan found more than half of respondents were not planning to vote.
This is in part due to threats of violence from the Taliban, who have said they will attack polling booths and have already targeted election rallies.This is in part due to threats of violence from the Taliban, who have said they will attack polling booths and have already targeted election rallies.
There are also large areas of the country under Taliban control, where the Kabul government has little to no power, and voting is all but impossible.There are also large areas of the country under Taliban control, where the Kabul government has little to no power, and voting is all but impossible.
But a perceived lack of enthusiasm among voters is also attributed to a feeling things may not change for the better - not helped by the fact the same two men who fought for months over the top job in 2014 are the front-runners once again.But a perceived lack of enthusiasm among voters is also attributed to a feeling things may not change for the better - not helped by the fact the same two men who fought for months over the top job in 2014 are the front-runners once again.
Both have been accused of corruption while in office. Meanwhile, unemployment stands at about 25%, according to the UN, and almost 55% of Afghans are living below the poverty line.Both have been accused of corruption while in office. Meanwhile, unemployment stands at about 25%, according to the UN, and almost 55% of Afghans are living below the poverty line.
Who are the contenders?Who are the contenders?
Eighteen men - including former warlords, ex-spies and members of the country's former communist government - initially put themselves forward to fight the election, but five have dropped out.Eighteen men - including former warlords, ex-spies and members of the country's former communist government - initially put themselves forward to fight the election, but five have dropped out.
Not one woman is running for president, and only three women appear on the tickets of others.Not one woman is running for president, and only three women appear on the tickets of others.
Read more:Read more:
How does the vote work?How does the vote work?
The Afghan president is elected through a two-round direct voting system. A run-off is triggered if no candidate receives more than 50% of the votes cast.The Afghan president is elected through a two-round direct voting system. A run-off is triggered if no candidate receives more than 50% of the votes cast.
Results are due three weeks later. A second round, if needed, will be held in November.Results are due three weeks later. A second round, if needed, will be held in November.
Almost 5,000 polling stations will be open on Saturday for people to cast their votes.Almost 5,000 polling stations will be open on Saturday for people to cast their votes.
A biometric voting system - based on fingerprints - will be used across the country to try to avoid fraud as people cast their ballots.A biometric voting system - based on fingerprints - will be used across the country to try to avoid fraud as people cast their ballots.