Muhammad Salim, a resident of KandaharCity, who cast his vote at the AhmadShahBabaHigh School polling station, said he voted for Hamid Karzai. Karzai has pledged he will legalize the presence of foreign forces in the country and will prevent their unauthorized bombardments," he added.

Shagufta, another resident, said she had planned to vote, but Wednesday nights rockets on the city scared her, but as the day dawned she made up her mind to cast her vote.  She said she voted for Ashraf Ghani because he had a strategy for reconstruction and development of Afghanistan.

Rana complained against a lack of technical facilities at polling stations and said her card was ruined with a scissors as the punch-machine was out of order.  She said the female turn-out was low as compared to the 2004 presidential elections.  She said she voted for Dr. Abdullah Abdullah because his campaigner had promised them food stuff.

A resident of Maiwand district of Kandahar province said he stayed for one week in KandaharCity to cast his vote as in his district he was fearing attacks from Taliban.  He said he would return home after ink on his index finger faded.

Meanwhile, in neighboring Helmand, women went to polling stations despite rocket attacks on Lashkargah city.  Rahila, 28, said she waited for three hours at home fearing rocket attacks. She added when she realised that the situation was calm, she along with her village women went to a polling centre and cast her vote.

Mujtaba, a resident of Lashkargah, said he voted early in the morning.  He said: "When the situation became relatively peaceful, I took my family members to polling station. I am very happy that I had a chance to vote to my favourite candidate with family."

Mostly youth were full of enthusiasm.  Some of them interviewed by Pajhwok said they voted for Dr. Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai. Gul Ahmad said he voted for Ashraf Ghani, because he had promised job opportunities to youth in next government.

However, Kamila, a female voter said she only voted for a provincial council member because she did not know any presidential candidate.

Gul Rahman, an elder, said he did not cast vote because he did not like any of the candidates. The polling centers opened a bit late beyond schedule in Tarinkot city due to security problems and checking.

Abdul Rahim, a voter, in Tarinkot city said: "There was no polling due to absent of polling officials who arrived at the polling station two hours late. "

Shabana, a female voter, said she voted for her choice candidate in order to choose the future of her country.

mnm/ma/mud