Saturday’s presidential election was an awesome success for Afghanistan: about 60 percent of the 12 million eligible voters stood in long lines to pick President Hamid Karzai’s successor. Problems seen at some voting stations were due to sheer demand, such as running out of paper ballots and long lines that election officials had to close off at the appointed time of 4 p.m. The Independent Election Commission said about 65 percent of the voters were male and 35 percent female, and this ratio was certainly reflected in the images Afghans were tweeting from all around the country.
The Taliban made a bit of mischief, but nowhere near what they promised — shutting down the entire process — or claimed (1,000 attacks). To add injury to insult, Afghan forces killed a senior Taliban commander, Qari Ziaduddin, in Faryab province Sunday night.
Complaints have been filed against every candidate, but election observers said the vote was nothing like the 2009 ballot-stuffing bonanza. Candidates are making claims based on their exit polling and other estimates but partial results will not be released until later this week and preliminary results are due April 24, reports Tolo News. Multiple televised presidential debates helped stoke voter fervor and increased knowledge about the candidates.
If one of the eight candidates does not clear 50 percent, it will go to a runoff. It’s shaping up to be a heat between Abdullah Abdullah, former foreign minister turned Karzai opponent, and Ashraf Ghani, a former finance minister and World Bank official who once hired James Carville as a campaign consultant.
“The open and responsible debate among the candidates over the past two months, and the turnout for these elections, demonstrates to the world that the Afghan people want to determine their own future,” Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said. “The Afghan National Security Forces should be commended for providing the security which enabled these elections to take place.”
“The Afghan people secured this election. They ran this election, and most importantly, they voted in this election,” Secretary of State John Kerry said.
President Obama praised the vote as “keeping with the spirited and positive debate among candidates and their supporters in the run-up to the election.”
But the most important statements — with their words and with their feet — came directly from Afghans:
“@HashteSubhDaily: This man was saying: Dead to Taliban and afghan enemies. As he was casting his vote. #Afghanvote. pic.twitter.com/254AcEbbXF
— RezaAsadi (@RezaAsadi) April 5, 2014
Love that our women r defying all odds and voting #AfghanElections “@HNajafizada: Impressive women turn out in Kabul pic.twitter.com/87iIY6wvGw” — Saba Wardak (@SabzW) April 5, 2014
These voters were happy to have their picture taken but didn’t say whom they’ll vote for. ‘Secret ballot,’ they say. pic.twitter.com/9L5CtmXseX — Ahmad Shuja احمدشجاع (@AhmadShuja) April 5, 2014
No one should have to risk their lives to vote. But the reality is, it is dangerous. I’ve never been prouder. #afghan pic.twitter.com/E7JKfxqSUd
— sabawoon askaryar (@askBilal) April 5, 2014
Women – young and old – have defied Taliban + made history voting in droves nationwide #AfghanElections #Afghanistan pic.twitter.com/Hu0e0tO0Ci
— TOLOnews (@TOLOnews) April 5, 2014
95 years old #Ghousuddin casts his vote in #Kabul Pol-e-Charkhi area. says “I wish the end of war in our homeland.” pic.twitter.com/9lnwLamv6x — Afghans Vote (@afghansvote) April 5, 2014
This impressive, isn’t it? #afghanvote, #AfghanElections.#@AfghanMissionUN. pic.twitter.com/sm2lf5Uf28 — Hasht e subh Daily (@HashteSubhDaily) April 5, 2014
“@Baztabaf:Nothing can stop them. Women’s lined up under rainy #kabul, to #vote. #AfghanElections.pic.twitter.com/d8znrFhGgC” BRAVO.Khushalwosay
— Kabul Wazir Mir (@Kabuls) April 5, 2014
5:30 PM in Herat, still they are waiting for ballots to arrive! pic.twitter.com/Ib9I0Knxh7
— Abdullah Abdullah (@AfgPresident) April 5, 2014
“@FereshtaKazemi: The #AfghanElections #MiddleFinger #FUTaliban #Voting is growing in numbers! pic.twitter.com/NsFgkB6sbl” in your face Taliban!
— Salman Siddiqui (@salmansid) April 5, 2014
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