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Vote count starts in Afghan poll Vote count starts in Afghan poll
(about 1 hour later)
Counting has begun in Afghanistan's second presidential election since the fall of the Taliban in 2001.Counting has begun in Afghanistan's second presidential election since the fall of the Taliban in 2001.
There were some attacks by the Taliban, who had vowed to disrupt the vote, but the UN says the vast majority of polling stations were able to function.There were some attacks by the Taliban, who had vowed to disrupt the vote, but the UN says the vast majority of polling stations were able to function.
Fewer people voted in the south, where militant influence is greater. Incumbent President Hamid Karzai faces challenges from about 30 rivals. Initial official results are not expected for two weeks.
President Hamid Karzai faces about 30 rivals. Initial official results are not expected for two weeks, but there may be earlier indications. As polls closed he praised Afghans voters for defying insurgent threats.
The election follows a lively campaign period in which dozens of candidates vied for the presidency - but it was marred by violent attacks and frequent complaints of pre-election corruption and fraud. Opinion polls suggest Mr Karzai is the leading candidate
Polls officially closed at 1700 (1230 GMT), after being kept open for an extra hour. "The Afghan people dared rockets, bombs and intimidations and came out to vote," he told reporters.
Polling stations officially closed at 1700 (1230 GMT), after being kept open for an extra hour.
Mr Karzai said that based on reports by the interior ministry, 73 attacks had taken place in 15 provinces.
Among the violent incidents reported around the country:
  • Taliban militants stormed a town in Baghlan, northern Afghanistan, preventing polling stations from opening, police tell AFP news agency. At least eight died in ensuing clashes with police
  • Taliban militants set fire to a bus on the Kandahar-Kabul highway in Ghazni, after offloading passengers and the driver, reportedly as punishment for violating a Taliban ban on using the road
  • Rockets hitting houses in Khost and Kandahar provinces killed two women and several children
  • Also in Khost, a civilian car hit a roadside bomb, killing one person and injuring three
  • 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
  • More than 20 rockets landed in the capital of Lashkar Gah, the capital of Helmand province, a Taliban stronghold
  • In Kabul, the bodies of two alleged militants were recovered after a gun battle with police in a residential district - police said they were suicide bombers but it is unclear whether they blew themselves up or were shot dead
Some 300,000 Afghan and international troops were on patrol to prevent attacks.Some 300,000 Afghan and international troops were on patrol to prevent attacks.
Violent incidents around the country included: The election follows a lively campaign period in which dozens of candidates vied for the presidency - but which was marred by violent attacks and frequent complaints of pre-election corruption and fraud.
  • Taliban militants stormed a town in Baghlan, northern Afghanistan, preventing polling stations from opening, police tell AFP news agency. At least eight died in ensuing clashes with police
  • Taliban militants set fire to a bus on the Kandahar-Kabul highway in Ghazni, after offloading passengers and the driver, reportedly as punishment for violating a Taliban ban on using the road
  • Rockets hitting houses in Khost and Kandahar provinces killed two women and several children
  • Also in Khost, a civilian car hit a roadside bomb, killing one person and injuring three
  • 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
  • In Kabul, the bodies of two alleged militants were recovered after a gun battle with police in a residential district - police said they were suicide bombers but it is unclear whether they blew themselves up or were shot dead.
Voting fearsVoting fears
The polls - which also see voters electing members to provincial councils - are the first organised primarily by Afghans themselves.The polls - which also see voters electing members to provincial councils - are the first organised primarily by Afghans themselves.
AFGHAN POLLS 17 million eligible votersPolls opened at 0700 (0230 GMT) and close at 1600As well as presidential polls, voters choosing between 3,000 candidates for 420 seats in provincial councilsOfficial preliminary results not expected for 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 In pictures: Afghan polls Election security mapAFGHAN POLLS 17 million eligible votersPolls opened at 0700 (0230 GMT) and close at 1600As well as presidential polls, voters choosing between 3,000 candidates for 420 seats in provincial councilsOfficial preliminary results not expected for 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 In pictures: Afghan polls Election security map
The vast majority of the country's 6,969 polling stations were able to open despite the security threat, the UN said.The vast majority of the country's 6,969 polling stations were able to open despite the security threat, the UN said.
Speaking on state TV, the director of Afghanistan's Independent Election Commission, Azizullah Loudin, claimed turnout had been "high".Speaking on state TV, the director of Afghanistan's Independent Election Commission, Azizullah Loudin, claimed turnout had been "high".
Apart from the earlier gun battle in Kabul, the city was mainly reported to be quiet, with a brisk turnout in some polling stations while there was little activity in others.Apart from the earlier gun battle in Kabul, the city was mainly reported to be quiet, with a brisk turnout in some polling stations while there was little activity in others.
Despite repeated blasts being heard in Lashkar Gah, the provincial capital of militant stronghold Helmand province, lots of voters were coming out, though in next-door Kandahar turnout appeared to be low. Fewer people voted in the south and east, where militant influence is greater.
And in Jalalabad, eastern Nangarhar province, some districts reported no voters at all. In Jalalabad, in the eastern province of Nangarhar, some districts reported no voters at all.
Turnout is also reported to have been low in Kandahar in the south.
But despite the attacks neighbouring Helmand, many voters appeared to have taken part in the provincial capital Lashkar Gah.
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.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.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.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.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.
The BBC's Martin Patience points out that three-quarters of Afghans live in the country's 30,000 rural villages - so it is turnout in the countryside which is key.The BBC's Martin Patience points out that three-quarters of Afghans live in the country's 30,000 rural villages - so it is turnout in the countryside which is key.
A voter in Kabul said she hoped the election would bring security to Afghanistan.A voter in Kabul said she hoped the election would bring security to Afghanistan.
"We want the next president to stop the killing of innocent people and to find jobs for the people, and bring peace." "We want the next president to stop the killing of innocent people and to find jobs for the people, and bring peace," she said.
But other would-be voters said they feared for their safety, while yet others said they had little faith in Afghan democracy.But other would-be voters said they feared for their safety, while yet others said they had little faith in Afghan democracy.
"Unfortunately, democracy has been exported to Afghanistan, it hasn't grown up from the bottom to the top," said one."Unfortunately, democracy has been exported to Afghanistan, it hasn't grown up from the bottom to the top," said one.
Across the country, some 17 million Afghans were eligible to vote.Across the country, some 17 million Afghans were eligible to vote.
There were 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 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 threatsTaliban threats
Opinion polls put support for Hamid Karzai, one of more than 30 candidates, at about 45%, with his former Foreign Minister, Abdullah Abdullah, in second place with 25%. Opinion polls put support for Hamid Karzai, one of 30 candidates, at about 45%, with his former Foreign Minister, Abdullah Abdullah, in second place with 25%.
This is not an election, this is a comedy Ramazan BashardostPresidential candidate Are you voting? Have your say
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.
This will be for peace, for progress, and for the well-being of the Afghan people Hamid Karzai, Afghan president class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=6894&edition=2">Are you voting? Have your say Mr Abdullah called it a "day of change, a day of hope" - but Mr Bashardost said he had washed off the supposedly indelible ink used to identify people who have voted.
Voting in Kabul shortly after polls opened, Mr Karzai urged all Afghans to cast ballots in defiance of the insurgents.
"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 used to identify people who have voted.
"This is not an election, this is a comedy," Mr Bashardost said, calling on authorities to stop the election."This is not an election, this is a comedy," Mr Bashardost said, calling on authorities to stop the election.
But his claims were rejected by the Independent Election Commission. His claims were rejected by the Independent Election Commission.
Official preliminary results are not expected until 2 September, with the full final results scheduled for 17 September. Official preliminary results are not expected until 2 September, with the full final results scheduled for 17 September, but there may be earlier indications.
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.
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