August 20, 2009
Afghan Elections
Despite threats from the Taliban and sporadic reports of violence, it appears that Afghan people are briskly lining up to vote in many places.
Reports from Jalalabad, Lashkar Gah, Herat, Mazar-e-Sharif and Jowzan province indicate strong voter turnout.
Kabul and Kandahar, however, are under tight security with sporadic attacks keeping people away from the polls. Low turnout reported in Ghazni due to Taliban threats. Turnout nationally could be termed as patchy.
Here's some election-related statistics.
17 million registered voters;Polling station queues are subject to frisking by security personnel with female officials even lifting burkas. A government order for the media to not report election day violence is generally being followed.
up to 7,000 polling centres;
more than 40 presidential candidates (two female);
3,200 provincial council candidates;
3,000 donkeys transporting voting materials.
The general consensus is that President Hamid Karzai will be reelected, however, he faces strong opposition from Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah. Karzai is strong in the Pashtun south and Abdullah is the favorite in the Tajik north. (More ....)
