Britain's part in election run-up

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A suicide bombing in Kabul on Tuesday targeted foreign troops

As Afghanistan prepares to go the polls on Thursday, the BBC's defence correspondent Caroline Wyatt highlights the important roles that UK troops and British observers will be playing in the political process.

Nato-led forces in Afghanistan are to halt offensive operations during this week's presidential election, with British forces expected to keep a low profile in Helmand on the day itself as well.

They have been helping with election logistics in the run-up to the poll, with British and US military helicopters flying ballot papers and boxes to be distributed to 107 polling centres across Helmand. Around a third are in the provincial capital, Lashkar Gah.

However many in Afghanistan fear the week's suicide bombings in Kabul and threats elsewhere will have an impact on turnout, and ultimately on the legitimacy of the vote, especially in areas where the insurgency is strongest.

Helmand has also seen insurgent attempts to destabilise the province in the days ahead of the polls.

Success is a result that is accepted by the population... and not seen to have been stolen in any way British diplomat Hugh Powell

Insurgents tried to bomb the compound of Helmand governor Gulab Mangal, and his convoy was rocketed on the way to an election shura, or tribal meeting, outside the town of Nowzad, which is still claimed by the Taliban.

On Tuesday, he expressed his gratitude for the help of British and US forces in Helmand, but said he hoped they would be able to leave as soon as possible.

"We know they can't stay forever, and we need them to train and equip the Afghan national army and police to ensure our own security," he said.

He also said he hoped the election would be peaceful, so that people could go to vote, but declined to speculate on what the turnout might be.

The governor warned help from foreign troops would be needed in Helmand for some time.

'Rough and ready'

British civilians have also been assisting in the run-up to the election, liaising with Afghan election officials and helping to provide EU election monitors.

The head of the provincial reconstruction team in Lashkar Gah, British diplomat Hugh Powell, says expectations should not be pitched too high.

There are more than 30 presidential candidates in the race

"I do not expect anything like the turnout that happened in the first elections of 2004, which was just over 70%," he said.

"I suspect it will be significantly below 50% and to achieve 50% would be quite something. The Taliban have clearly sent out messages that they intend to try and disrupt and deter people from participating."

At the main police station in Lashkar Gah, the police chief showed us a haul of weaponry including blocks of TNT explosives.

He said it was likely they would have been used to disrupt the elections, after being turned into the homemade bombs that have claimed so many soldiers' and civilians' lives here.

However General Asadullah Sherzad said he was confident of his men's ability to keep Lashkar Gah secure.

So what would constitute success in Helmand for these elections?

"I think we have to accept they are going to be quite rough and ready, especially here in the south where the insurgency is at its most intense," said Hugh Powell, who has lived and worked in Helmand for more than a year.

"Success is a result that is accepted by the population and down here that probably means the successful candidate is a Pashtun, and that the result is not seen to have been stolen in any way."