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Afghan election: Violence overshadows run-off vote Afghan election: Violence overshadows run-off vote
(34 minutes later)
At least 46 people have been killed as millions of Afghans cast their votes in a run-off to elect a new president.At least 46 people have been killed as millions of Afghans cast their votes in a run-off to elect a new president.
Local people, security officials and militants were among those who died in a number of low-level attacks across the country.Local people, security officials and militants were among those who died in a number of low-level attacks across the country.
More than seven million people turned out to vote, election officials said - a similar number to the first round.More than seven million people turned out to vote, election officials said - a similar number to the first round.
Voters are choosing between former Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah and ex-World Bank economist Ashraf Ghani.Voters are choosing between former Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah and ex-World Bank economist Ashraf Ghani.
Whoever wins will succeed Hamid Karzai, who has been president since 2001.Whoever wins will succeed Hamid Karzai, who has been president since 2001.
This election will be the first time that power in Afghanistan has been democratically transferred.This election will be the first time that power in Afghanistan has been democratically transferred.
The Taliban had threatened to target voting, and there were concerns that fraud could produce a disputed result.The Taliban had threatened to target voting, and there were concerns that fraud could produce a disputed result.
The Afghan interior minister earlier said there had been 150 attacks. BBC reporters across the country said they had seen more violence than in the previous round, but most incidents were relatively low level.The Afghan interior minister earlier said there had been 150 attacks. BBC reporters across the country said they had seen more violence than in the previous round, but most incidents were relatively low level.
Election commission chief Ahmad Yousef Nooristani said less than 200 of the 6,365 polling stations were unable to operate because of security concerns. Election commission chief Ahmad Yousef Nooristani said fewer than 200 of the 6,365 polling stations were unable to operate because of security concerns.
Of those who turned out to vote, 38% were women and 62% were men, he said.Of those who turned out to vote, 38% were women and 62% were men, he said.
Mr Nooristani also said there had been some complaints of irregularities which would be investigated, but did not give further details.Mr Nooristani also said there had been some complaints of irregularities which would be investigated, but did not give further details.
Presidential candidate Abdullah Abdullah thanked "the whole nation of participating in the election" and called for a full investigation in the allegations of fraud.
Analysis: Lyse Doucet, BBC Chief international correspondentAnalysis: 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 futureVoting for a better future
Mr Abdullah won 45% of the first-round vote, with Mr Ghani securing 31.6% - neither achieved the 50% needed to avoid a second round.Mr Abdullah won 45% of the first-round vote, with Mr Ghani securing 31.6% - neither achieved the 50% needed to avoid a second round.
Both sides have faced multiple claims of fraud.Both sides have faced multiple claims of fraud.
Security was tight: police and soldiers searched most cars going into Kabul.Security was tight: police and soldiers searched most cars going into Kabul.
"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."
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.
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.
As most foreign soldiers prepare to withdraw by the end of this year, the next president will face multiple challenges.As most foreign soldiers prepare to withdraw by the end of this year, the next president will face multiple challenges.
Taliban insurgents remain active, the economy is weak, corruption is endemic and the rule of law goes largely unenforced.Taliban insurgents remain active, the economy is weak, corruption is endemic and the rule of law goes largely unenforced.
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 were deployed to carry ballot boxes to some of the more inaccessible villages.
Are you in Afghanistan? Did you vote? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk, using the subject line 'Afghanistan'.Are you in Afghanistan? Did you vote? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk, using the subject line 'Afghanistan'.