Afghans defy Taliban threat to vote in droves

KABUL (AP):

Millions of Afghans yesterday defied Taliban threats and rain, underscoring their enormous expectations from an election that comes as the country's wobbly government prepares to face down a ferocious insurgency largely on its own.

With combat forces from the United States-led coalition winding down a 13-year presence and the mercurial Hamid Karzai stepping aside, the country's new leader will find an altered landscape as he replaces the only president Afghans have known since the Taliban were ousted in the wake of the September 11 attacks.

But for some progress, particularly with women's rights, the country's situation is inauspicious, especially with its poor security and battered economy. Yet, despite spiralling carnage and grave disappointments, Afghans by the millions, crowded mosque courtyards and lined up at schools to vote, telling a war-weary world they want their voices heard.

Voting Results

Partial results could come as early as today, but final results were not expected for a week or more.

A security agreement with the United States would allow thousands of foreign troops to remain in the country to continue training security forces after 2014. Karzai - perhaps trying to shake off his image as a creation of the Americans - has refused to sign it, but all eight presidential candidates say they will.

In general, there do not appear to be major policy differences towards the West among the front-runners: Abdullah Abdullah, Karzai's top rival in the last election; Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai, an academic and former World Bank official; and Zalmai Rassoul, a former foreign minister. A run-off is widely expected since none is likely to get the majority needed for an outright victory.