Terrorist acts including suicide and rocket attacks in the heavily-fortified central capital, 14 people were killed and 140 others wounded. But the brazen assaults failed to prevent residents casting their votes.

Sayed Eisa Jafari, 85, walked for 15 minutes from his house to the polling station. Reliant on crutches and helped by a grandson, the octogenarian said: "I voted for Ramazan Bashardost, because he is a poor man, who could be more helpful to us."

His biggest hope from the next president is restoration of peace.

Sharifa, an old woman who did not know her age, said she came to the polling station to vote for her country's destiny. Her six-member family is supported by her elder son, a mason by profession. "I voted so that there is peace in the country and everyone has a job."

Eishan Salim, a resident of Third Macro Ryan, cast his ballot at the AbdulHadiDawiSchool polling station. He believed the polls were transparent but election workers were not cooperative.

Qala-i-Zaman Khan inhabitant Nilofar, who cast her vote at a polling centre in Abu Obaida Mosque, revealed her ballot went to former finance minister Dr. Ashraf Ghani Ahmedzai.

The 22-year-old hailed Ghani, an ex-chancellor of the KabulUniversity, as a highly qualified technocrat who could overcome Afghanistan's multiple problems if he won the elections.

"I wish everyone understand that Dr. Ghani Ahmadzai is a hard-working, devout Muslim and a distinguished intellectual," remarked Nilofar, who felt everyone should have voted for him."

A student of literature at KabulUniversity, Sirajuddin also felt the historic elections were conducted in a free and fair way. He said the polling station staff guided voters very well.

However, some voters had complained of substandard ink, out-of-order card-punching machines and canvassing for certain candidates at polling stations.

At the Al-FatahHigh School polling station in Third Macro Ryan, Spogmai quoted an observer as asking her to vote for a provincial candidate (number 140).

The polling formally ended at 5:00pm local time but people waiting in queues were still able to cast their votes.

mnm/mud