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Stakes high as Afghans go to vote Stakes high as Afghans go to vote
(40 minutes 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.
Some 300,000 Afghan and international troops have been deployed to protect voters, but sporadic outbreaks of violence have been reported.Some 300,000 Afghan and international troops have been deployed to protect voters, but sporadic outbreaks of violence have been reported.
A police commander said the bodies of two militants had been recovered after a gun battle with police in Kabul.A police commander said the bodies of two militants had been recovered after a gun battle with police in Kabul.
The militants had been holed up in a house in the residential district of Karti Naw, but the house is now reported to have been retaken by security forces.The militants had been holed up in a house in the residential district of Karti Naw, but the house is now reported to have been retaken by security forces.
In northern Baghlan province, a district police chief was killed when Taliban militants attacked a police post, and clashes were said to be continuing with unconfirmed casualties on the Taliban side.In northern Baghlan province, a district police chief was killed when Taliban militants attacked a police post, and clashes were said to be continuing with unconfirmed casualties on the Taliban side.
Small rocket attacks were also reported in Helmand, Kandahar and Ghazni provinces.Small rocket attacks were also reported in Helmand, Kandahar and Ghazni provinces.
Voting fearsVoting fears
Polling stations opened at 0700 (0230 GMT) for voting in what is Afghanistan's second direct presidential election since 2001, but the first organised primarily by Afghans themselves.Polling stations opened at 0700 (0230 GMT) for voting in what is Afghanistan's second direct presidential election since 2001, but the first organised primarily by Afghans themselves.
In most of Kabul, the streets were quiet, with most shops closed and security personnel outnumbering pedestrians, reported the BBC's Ian Pannell.In most of Kabul, the streets were quiet, with most shops closed and security personnel outnumbering pedestrians, reported the BBC's Ian Pannell.
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
Cars have been driven through the streets broadcasting patriotic music and encouraging people to vote, he says.Cars have been driven through the streets broadcasting patriotic music and encouraging people to vote, he says.
"I really am interested to vote today, but early in the morning on the way to my office, I have seen the streets so quiet and lots of Afghan security officials," Kabul resident Murtaza told the BBC in an email."I really am interested to vote today, but early in the morning on the way to my office, I have seen the streets so quiet and lots of Afghan security officials," Kabul resident Murtaza told the BBC in an email.
"I really don't want to lose my life, for voting.""I really don't want to lose my life, for voting."
But another resident, Mirwais, had just voted.But another resident, Mirwais, had just voted.
"I really felt secure and safe. The only problem was the making holes in voting cards. Their cutters were not working and instead of cutters they were using scissors which was not trustworthy.""I really felt secure and safe. The only problem was the making holes in voting cards. Their cutters were not working and instead of cutters they were using scissors which was not trustworthy."
Across the country, some 17 million Afghans are eligible to vote until polling stations close at 1600.Across the country, some 17 million Afghans are eligible to vote until polling stations close at 1600.
Queues were reported to be forming at some of the country's 6,969 polling stations - the vast majority of which, the UN said, had been able to open despite the security threat.Queues were reported to be forming at some of the country's 6,969 polling stations - the vast majority of which, the UN said, had been able to open despite 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' Taliban threats
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. AT THE SCENE Caroline Wyatt, BBC News, Lashkar Gah, Helmand province We went out to polling stations as they opened in Lashkar Gah this morning and the first thing that happened was a loud explosion could be heard near the governor's compound.
Corruption, fraud, apathy and the threat of attacks from the Taliban are expected to keep many people away from the polls. We were told to get down, to get into safety. After that we went back out and we heard in total six other explosions until about 0830.
But millions of pounds have been invested and hundreds of lives have been lost in order to allow this election to happen. I had presumed that would mean people would be less keen to vote. I was wrong. We went to a high school, one of the men's voting centres. There were queues coming out of every room. People we spoke to were extremely enthusiastic about voting. They were all supporters of President Hamid Karzai.
Not surprising then that Western officials insist that any vote, however flawed, is still better than none at all. They said they were not scared by the Taliban's threat to chop off their fingers if they were found with ink showing that they voted, and they were not scared by the Taliban's bombs and rockets.
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. Nonetheless, the BBC's Caroline Wyatt in the Helmand city of Lashkar Gah says voting was brisk in the polling stations she visited.
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.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions