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| Millions of Afghans vote in crunch run-off poll | Millions of Afghans vote in crunch run-off poll |
| (about 9 hours later) | |
| Afghans are voting in run-off polls that will determine who will succeed President Hamid Karzai. | Afghans are voting in run-off polls that will determine who will succeed President Hamid Karzai. |
| The choice is between former Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah and ex-World Bank economist Ashraf Ghani. | The choice is between former Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah and ex-World Bank economist Ashraf Ghani. |
| It should be the first time that power in Afghanistan has been democratically transferred. | It should be the first time that power in Afghanistan has been democratically transferred. |
| But the Taliban has threatened to target polling stations and there are concerns that voting fraud could produce a disputed result. | But the Taliban has threatened to target polling stations and there are concerns that voting fraud could produce a disputed result. |
| 'Non-stop' assaults | 'Non-stop' assaults |
| As most foreign soldiers prepare to withdraw by the end of this year, whoever becomes the new leader will take over a country where Taliban insurgents remain active, where the economy is weak, where corruption is endemic and where the rule of law is for the most part unenforced. | As most foreign soldiers prepare to withdraw by the end of this year, whoever becomes the new leader will take over a country where Taliban insurgents remain active, where the economy is weak, where corruption is endemic and where the rule of law is for the most part unenforced. |
| The Taliban have pledged to do their utmost to disrupt the vote with "non-stop" assaults. | The Taliban have pledged to do their utmost to disrupt the vote with "non-stop" assaults. |
| "By holding elections, the Americans want to impose their stooges on the people," the insurgents said on their website. | "By holding elections, the Americans want to impose their stooges on the people," the insurgents said on their website. |
| Analysis: Lyse Doucet, BBC Chief international correspondent | Analysis: Lyse Doucet, BBC Chief international correspondent |
| Afghans who've lived through all the devastating wars since President Najibullah's Soviet-backed rule are hoping this election will help turn the page on their punishing history. | Afghans who've lived through all the devastating wars since President Najibullah's Soviet-backed rule are hoping this election will help turn the page on their punishing history. |
| It will be the first time in Afghan history that power is transferred peacefully, from one elected leader to another. | It will be the first time in Afghan history that power is transferred peacefully, from one elected leader to another. |
| Months of vigorous campaigning, and an impressive turnout in the first round of voting, were a strong testament to a country determined to move forward in the face of Taliban threats and violence. | Months of vigorous campaigning, and an impressive turnout in the first round of voting, were a strong testament to a country determined to move forward in the face of Taliban threats and violence. |
| Despite all the disappointments and setbacks since 2001, Afghanistan is now a changed country. | Despite all the disappointments and setbacks since 2001, Afghanistan is now a changed country. |
| When Afghans turn out to vote for this crucial second round, it will be a test of their security forces as well as the electoral institutions. | When Afghans turn out to vote for this crucial second round, it will be a test of their security forces as well as the electoral institutions. |
| Voting for a better future | Voting for a better future |
| About 12 million Afghans are eligible to vote. Polls opened at 0700 local time (0330 BST) amid tight security at more than 6,000 polling centres. | About 12 million Afghans are eligible to vote. Polls opened at 0700 local time (0330 BST) amid tight security at more than 6,000 polling centres. |
| Mr Abdullah won 45% of the first-round vote, with Mr Ghani securing 31.6% - multiple fraud claims were made against both sides. The pair came top of an eight-man field, but because neither reached the 50% threshold needed for an outright victory, Saturday's run-off election was necessary. | Mr Abdullah won 45% of the first-round vote, with Mr Ghani securing 31.6% - multiple fraud claims were made against both sides. The pair came top of an eight-man field, but because neither reached the 50% threshold needed for an outright victory, Saturday's run-off election was necessary. |
| Donkeys deployed | Donkeys deployed |
| Correspondents say that a seamless transfer of power would be a significant achievement for Afghanistan and a vindication of international efforts to establish a functioning democracy after the abuses of the Taliban era. | Correspondents say that a seamless transfer of power would be a significant achievement for Afghanistan and a vindication of international efforts to establish a functioning democracy after the abuses of the Taliban era. |
| But Afghanistan's mountainous and remote terrain, coupled with the dilapidated condition of many of its roads, mean that holding a country-wide election is a major challenge. Thousands of donkeys will be deployed to carry ballot boxes to some of the more inaccessible villages. | But Afghanistan's mountainous and remote terrain, coupled with the dilapidated condition of many of its roads, mean that holding a country-wide election is a major challenge. Thousands of donkeys will be deployed to carry ballot boxes to some of the more inaccessible villages. |
| The preliminary result is expected on 2 July and the final result on 22 July. | The preliminary result is expected on 2 July and the final result on 22 July. |
| Security has been tight in the run-up to the vote, with police and soldiers searching most cars going into Kabul. Officials say that they are confident that Western-trained security forces will be able to provide a safe environment for voters. | Security has been tight in the run-up to the vote, with police and soldiers searching most cars going into Kabul. Officials say that they are confident that Western-trained security forces will be able to provide a safe environment for voters. |
| "The level of threats is higher compared to the first round," Interior Minister Omar Daudzai was quoted by the AFP news agency as saying. | "The level of threats is higher compared to the first round," Interior Minister Omar Daudzai was quoted by the AFP news agency as saying. |
| "But we have gained far more experience and we have better equipment and are in a much better position to prevent any possible attack by terrorists." | "But we have gained far more experience and we have better equipment and are in a much better position to prevent any possible attack by terrorists." |
| Officials say that their main fear is a close outcome, because that would allow the supporters of whoever loses to reject defeat, possibly throwing the country back into war along ethnic lines. | Officials say that their main fear is a close outcome, because that would allow the supporters of whoever loses to reject defeat, possibly throwing the country back into war along ethnic lines. |
| Are you in Afghanistan? Are you voting? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject line 'Afghanistan'. |