Amazing day and exceptional turnout in Afghan Presidential elections
Report by Ahmed Saleemi from Kabul and written by Agha Iqrar Haroon
Kabul–Islamabad: Afghan elections day is enough to tell the whole world that Taliban have failed to terrorize the Afghan nation and thousands of women came out of home to vote—an exceptionally new trend in Afghan society. Around seven million voters out of total of 12 million voters used their right of choosing their new president. There are chances for runoff because it looks no candidate will get 51% of total polled vote but Afghan nation is ready for runoff voting mentally. Unofficial results obtained by Dispatch News Desk (DND) suggest none of the eight presidential runners will be able to reach 51% vote for one candidate. In case of runoff, polling will be held in late May 2014.
This turnout is highest in the history as only 4.6 million people voted at the last election in 2009.
Mr. Saleemi of Dispatch News Desk (DND) received initial tallies, indicates, Dr Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai bagged 42.10 percent of votes, Dr Abdullah Abdullah 40.72 percent and Zalmai Rassoul 7.66 percent. Abdul Rab Rassoul Sayyaf polled 6.16 percent of ballots, Qutbuddin Hilal 1.73 percent, Mohammad Shafiq Gul Agha Sherzai 1.73 percent, Daud Sultanzoy 0.30 percent and Hedayat Amin Arsala 0.18 percent.
This statistics maybe not be hundred percent accurate and the final outcome will be announced by the IEC on May 14.
“Some seven million Afghan voters took part in the country’s presidential election on Saturday, despite Taliban threats to disrupt the vote “at any cost.” Polling was extended by over an hour and ballot papers became scarce due to the high turnout. A total of 12 million Afghan citizens were eligible to vote, meaning the turnout was roughly 58 percent, election commission chief Ahmad Yousuf Nuristani told reporters, citing preliminary estimates.”, said Interior Minister Mohammad Omar Daudzai.
Around 109 persons were killed in election related violence while many attempts were foiled to spread panic on the Election Day by Taliban and around 89 Taliban were killed in many parts of the country.
Interior Minister Daudzai at the end of polling held a press conference in Kabul and claimed that Afghan forces had successfully prevented 140 attacks on polling sites, killing 89 assailants over the past 24 hours.
Nine policemen, seven Afghan National Army (ANA) personnel and four civilians were lost to the incidents that left 43 civilians wounded during the period.
“People’s widespread participation in the polls showed they had no care for insurgent attacks and raised their voice for peace to the world.”
“With tight security measures, Afghan forces proved today they can resist every threat from the enemy and can defend the nation against them,” Daudzai said. He also said some security officers were among those detained on charges of electoral fraud.
Acting National Directorate of Security (NDS) head Rahmatullah Nabil, who attended the press conference, said militants tried their best to derail the elections, but their attempts had been unsuccessful. He said intelligence agents had detained 76 militants and 93 suspected individuals over the past 48 hours in different parts of the country.
Countrywide voting in the landmark presidential and provincial council polls began at 7.00am and came to a close at 5.00pm after a one-hour extension in the stipulated time.
More than seven million Afghans exercised their franchise, braving threats of militant attacks and drizzly weather. About 3.5 million people, including 36 percent women, voted before 12.00 noon. Until 5pm, over 7 million had cast their ballots.
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