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Stakes high as Afghans go to vote Stakes high as Afghans go to vote
(about 1 hour later)
Millions of Afghans have begun voting in the country's second presidential election since the fall of the Taliban.Millions of Afghans have begun voting in the country's second presidential election since the fall of the Taliban.
Militants have threatened to disrupt the polls, in which President Hamid Karzai is running for a second term.Militants have threatened to disrupt the polls, in which President Hamid Karzai is running for a second term.
Violence has escalated in recent days and there are fears some Afghans will be afraid to vote.Violence has escalated in recent days and there are fears some Afghans will be afraid to vote.
Some 300,000 Afghan and international troops have been deployed to protect voters, but early on rocket attacks were reported in a number of cities. Some 300,000 Afghan and international troops have been deployed to protect voters, but some outbreaks of violence have been reported.
The small rocket attacks happened in cities in Helmand, Kandahar and Ghazni provinces and a small blast occurred in Kabul, BBC reporters say. In Kabul, a BBC correspondent reported a gun battle raging between suspected militants and international forces in Karti Naw district, and earlier a small blast was heard in the city.
Ghazni police chief Khial Baz Sherza told Reuters one rocket had landed close to where about 30 people were waiting to vote, but said no one had been hurt. Small rocket attacks were also reported in cities in Helmand, Kandahar and Ghazni provinces.
Ghazni police chief Khial Baz Sherza told Reuters one rocket had landed close to where about 30 people were waiting to vote, but said no-one had been hurt.
'Bring change''Bring change'
Polling stations opened at 0700 (0230 GMT) and will close at 1600. Queues formed at some polling stations, which opened at 0700 (0230 GMT) and will close at 1600.
"This is my second time to vote and I've come early before work," Nooramin, a 22-year-old voter in Kabul, told AFP news agency. "It's the only way we bring change to the country.""This is my second time to vote and I've come early before work," Nooramin, a 22-year-old voter in Kabul, told AFP news agency. "It's the only way we bring change to the country."
Another voter, outside a polling station in Kabul, told AP he was going to watch whether other people voted safely before going in.Another voter, outside a polling station in Kabul, told AP he was going to watch whether other people voted safely before going in.
I request my dear countrymen to come out and cast their vote to decide their future Hamid Karzai, Afghan president Are you voting? Have your sayI request my dear countrymen to come out and cast their vote to decide their future Hamid Karzai, Afghan president Are you voting? Have your say
"If anything happens to the polling centre, we don't want to be too close to it," he said."If anything happens to the polling centre, we don't want to be too close to it," he said.
But Mohammed Tahir, a shopkeeper in eastern Kabul, said he saw no point in voting. "It won't change anything in our country," he told AP.But Mohammed Tahir, a shopkeeper in eastern Kabul, said he saw no point in voting. "It won't change anything in our country," he told AP.
The BBC's Ian Pannell in Kabul said the city was eerily quiet, with most shops closed and security personnel outnumbering pedestrians.The BBC's Ian Pannell in Kabul said the city was eerily quiet, with most shops closed and security personnel outnumbering pedestrians.
Cars have been driven through the streets broadcasting patriot music and encouraging people to vote, he says.Cars have been driven through the streets broadcasting patriot music and encouraging people to vote, he says.
It remains unclear how many of the 6,969 polling sites across the country are operating, because of the security threat.It remains unclear how many of the 6,969 polling sites across the country are operating, because of the security threat.
The interior ministry has said about a third of the country is at high risk of attack and that no polling stations will be open in eight districts under Taliban control.The interior ministry has said about a third of the country is at high risk of attack and that no polling stations will be open in eight districts under Taliban control.
There were also concerns about corruption in the run up to the poll, with reports of voting cards being openly sold and of candidates offering large bribes.There were also concerns about corruption in the run up to the poll, with reports of voting cards being openly sold and of candidates offering large bribes.
'Sense of menace''Sense of menace'
Opinion polls suggest support for Hamid Karzai, one of more than 30 candidates, is at around 45%, with his former foreign minister, Abdullah Abdullah, in second place with 25%.Opinion polls suggest support for Hamid Karzai, one of more than 30 candidates, is at around 45%, with his former foreign minister, Abdullah Abdullah, in second place with 25%.
His other two main opponents are the independent candidate Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai and ex-World Bank official Ramazan Bashardost.His other two main opponents are the independent candidate Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai and ex-World Bank official Ramazan Bashardost.
ANALYSIS Ian Pannell, BBC News, Kabul Despite a lively campaign the enthusiasm and joy that surrounded the last election has largely disappeared.ANALYSIS Ian Pannell, BBC News, Kabul Despite a lively campaign the enthusiasm and joy that surrounded the last election has largely disappeared.
Corruption, fraud, apathy and the threat of attacks from the Taliban are expected to keep many people away from the polls.Corruption, fraud, apathy and the threat of attacks from the Taliban are expected to keep many people away from the polls.
But millions of pounds have been invested and hundreds of lives have been lost in order to allow this election to happen.But millions of pounds have been invested and hundreds of lives have been lost in order to allow this election to happen.
Not surprising then that Western officials insist that any vote, however flawed, is still better than none at all.Not surprising then that Western officials insist that any vote, however flawed, is still better than none at all.
Elections for provincial councils are also taking place, with more than 3,000 candidates contesting 420 council seats in 34 provinces.Elections for provincial councils are also taking place, with more than 3,000 candidates contesting 420 council seats in 34 provinces.
Voting in Kabul shortly after polls opened, Mr Karzai urged all Afghans to cast ballots in defiance of the insurgents.Voting in Kabul shortly after polls opened, Mr Karzai urged all Afghans to cast ballots in defiance of the insurgents.
"I request my dear countrymen to come out and cast their vote to decide their future," he said."I request my dear countrymen to come out and cast their vote to decide their future," he said.
"God willing, this will be for peace, for progress, and for the well-being of the Afghan people. Vote. No violence.""God willing, this will be for peace, for progress, and for the well-being of the Afghan people. Vote. No violence."
Militants have made repeated threats against the polls and more than 25 people have been killed in bombings and attacks in the last two days.Militants have made repeated threats against the polls and more than 25 people have been killed in bombings and attacks in the last two days.
In a statement earlier this week, the Taliban said 20 suicide bombers had made their way to the capital, Kabul, where they were preparing attacks.In a statement earlier this week, the Taliban said 20 suicide bombers had made their way to the capital, Kabul, where they were preparing attacks.
In Helmand province, insurgents warned that anyone with indelible ink on their finger, used to identify people who have voted, would have it cut off.In Helmand province, insurgents warned that anyone with indelible ink on their finger, used to identify people who have voted, would have it cut off.
The BBC's Caroline Wyatt, in the Helmand city of Lashkar Gah, says there is a quiet sense of menace in the province as people weigh up whether to risk going to the polling station.The BBC's Caroline Wyatt, in the Helmand city of Lashkar Gah, says there is a quiet sense of menace in the province as people weigh up whether to risk going to the polling station.
Reporters harassedReporters harassed
The US has expressed concern about the apparent attempts by militants to intimidate voters.The US has expressed concern about the apparent attempts by militants to intimidate voters.
But State Department spokesman Ian Kelly said there was a "very strong will of the majority of people in Afghanistan to be responsible for their own destiny". But state department spokesman Ian Kelly said there was a "very strong will of the majority of people in Afghanistan to be responsible for their own destiny".
Mr Kelly also criticised Afghan attempts to ban media coverage of violence during the polls - a move the government said was aimed at encouraging turn-out.Mr Kelly also criticised Afghan attempts to ban media coverage of violence during the polls - a move the government said was aimed at encouraging turn-out.
Some journalists have reported being harassed and beaten by security forces. The United Nations has asked for the ban to be lifted, saying the Afghan constitution guarantees a free press.Some journalists have reported being harassed and beaten by security forces. The United Nations has asked for the ban to be lifted, saying the Afghan constitution guarantees a free press.
Thursday's vote is Afghanistan's second presidential election since the US-led invasion in 2001 toppled the Taliban regime.Thursday's vote is Afghanistan's second presidential election since the US-led invasion in 2001 toppled the Taliban regime.
Preliminary official results for the presidential election should be announced sometime on Saturday evening.Preliminary official results for the presidential election should be announced sometime on Saturday evening.
If the winning candidate fails to gain more than 50% of the vote on Thursday, there will be a second-round run-off in October.If the winning candidate fails to gain more than 50% of the vote on Thursday, there will be a second-round run-off in October.
As he voted, Mr Karzai said a first-round victory would be "in the interest of the nation".As he voted, Mr Karzai said a first-round victory would be "in the interest of the nation".
Are you voting today in Afghanistan? What is the atmosphere like in your town, or at your polling station? Are you concerned about safety? Are you an Afghan voter living abroad? Send us your comments.Are you voting today in Afghanistan? What is the atmosphere like in your town, or at your polling station? Are you concerned about safety? Are you an Afghan voter living abroad? Send us your comments.
Have you had your thumb inked? You can send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here.Have you had your thumb inked? You can send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here.
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