"I would like to pay tribute to all the Afghans in the Independent Election Commission (IEC) and the security forces and all the others who participated throughout this process for the achievement we can see today," he said.

UN secretary-general's special envoy, speaking to journalists in Kabul, refused to put a figure on the voter turnout. "It is impossible for me to say what percentage the turnout would be in each province and each part of the country."

With regard to the pre-poll of discussion on the number of polling centres that the IEC would be able to open, Kai Eide said around 6,200 polling centres operated today. That, too, was an achievement, he believed.

Asked about the most alarming report he heard on Election Day, the Norwegian diplomat replied there were a number of complaints and claims of irregularities in the polls. The security situation, in general, allowed people to take part in the elections, he noted.

On the issue of complaints, Eide vowed to stick to his role. "I have heard what you have heard. And my role is not to comment on violations (of the election law) that may have taken place."

After the vote, the UNAMA chief said, Afghans and the global fraternity expected the political establishment would get together and unite behind a common agenda. "The Afghan people do not need further fragmentation and division. We have to move forward that is why we are here."

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also congratulated the Afghans on the elections, saying they demonstrated again their desire for stability and development in their country.

Ban lauded the IEC and all other Afghan institutions and international stakeholders supporting the electoral process for organising the elections in an extremely challenging environment.

He encouraged all candidates, their agents and supporters to continue cooperating with all Afghan electoral institutions during the counting of ballots and the results aggregation period, the complaints and adjudication process and the certification of results.

The US Embassy in Kabul said: "The American people congratulate the people of Afghanistan as this Election Day concludes, on the historic occasion of your nation leading for the first time, democratic elections for president and provincial councils.

"Along with others in the international community, we await the announcements of official results by the Independent Electoral Commission in the days ahead," said a statement from the embassy.