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| Version 18 | Version 19 |
|---|---|
| Afghans vote amid militant threat | Afghans vote amid militant threat |
| (10 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. |
| Police said the two dead militants were suicide bombers - though it is unclear whether they blew themselves up or were shot dead. | Police said the two dead militants were suicide bombers - though it is unclear whether they blew themselves up or were shot dead. |
| Two suicide bombers on a motorbike in Gardez, Paktia province, were killed before hitting their target, police said. | Two suicide bombers on a motorbike in Gardez, Paktia province, were killed before hitting their target, police said. |
| 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 provinces around the country. | Small rocket attacks were also reported in provinces around the country. |
| Voting fears | Voting fears |
| AFGHAN POLLS 17 million eligible votersPolls opened at 0700 (0230 GMT) and close at 1600Official preliminary results not expected for at least two weeks but may be earlier indications300,000 troops on patrol (including 100,000 foreign troops)250,000 observers and journalistsFirst polls organised by Afghans themselves, but with international support class="" href="/2/hi/south_asia/8194230.stm">Election security map | |
| 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. | |
| 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." |
| 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. | |
| 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. | |
| 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. | |
| 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. | |
| 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 widespread 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 widespread concerns about corruption in the run up to the poll, with reports of voting cards being openly sold and of candidates offering large bribes. |
| Taliban threats | 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. |
| 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. |
| 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 say | |
| 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." |
| Also voting, Mr Abdullah called it a "day of change, a day of hope" - but fellow contender Mr Bashardost said he had washed off the supposedly indelible ink and called on authorities to stop the election. | Also voting, Mr Abdullah called it a "day of change, a day of hope" - but fellow contender Mr Bashardost said he had washed off the supposedly indelible ink and called on authorities to stop the election. |
| "This is not an election, this is a comedy," Mr Bashardost said, according to AP news agency. | "This is not an election, this is a comedy," Mr Bashardost said, according to AP news agency. |
| 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. |
| Rockets were also fired in the Helmand city of Lashkar Gah, but the BBC's Caroline Wyatt says voting was brisk in the polling stations she visited nonetheless. | Rockets were also fired in the Helmand city of Lashkar Gah, but the BBC's Caroline Wyatt says voting was brisk in the polling stations she visited nonetheless. |
| Reporters harassed | Reporters 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. |
| Official preliminary results are not expected until 2 September but there may be earlier indications of the results. | Official preliminary results are not expected until 2 September but there may be earlier indications of the results. |
| 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 & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |