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Abdul Qader, resident of Sherzad district of Nangarhar province, voted for Ramazan Bashardost to help ensure a better future Afghanistan -- devastated by decades of war

"I have no regrets about voting for Bashardost, who has strong political principles. However, my family didn't support him at the polls," Qader added.

Belonging to the Fourth Police District of Jalalabad, Shafiqa was under no pressure from her family and voted her conscience. "I am delighted that I have been treated equally with male kin."

Another resident of Jalalabad, Samiullah said: "For a better future and stronger democracy, all Afghans should exercise their right to vote in a responsible manner."

An aged man from Behsud district was taken to the polling centre by his grandsons. The 85-year-old told Pajhwok Afghan News: "I don't want my children to live in turmoil. Seeking a brighter tomorrow for them, I voted for my candidate -- President Hamid Karzai."

But Imamuddin from Khogyani district did not vote as a token of protest. He complained he was jailed for three years at the Bagram airbase nobody. No one was bothered by his plight. He claimed foreigners would continue to call the shots in Afghanistan, no matter won the elections.

In the neighbouring Kunar province, Haji Bawal said he and his family voted without fear. The 60-year-old from Asadabad, capital of the province, was happy over exercising his democratic right.

A 55-year-old woman from the same city came to the polling centre along with her daughters and sons. Gul Bibi said: "We all will vote for Karzai."

Abdul Hamid, belonging to Qarghayee district of Laghman, had a voter registration card but he chose not to vote. "I had voted for Karzai in 2004, but he resolved none of our problems.

"What will happen if I support him this time around?" he asked. "Million of Afghan refugees in Pakistan have been deprived of their right to vote," the man complained.

Abdul Wadood of Mehtarlam -- capital of Laghman -- said he voted despite security concerns. "I took the risk for the sake of the country's future. My family also voted, but I don't want to comment on who we supported. Vote is confidential and I will keep it so."

In eastern Nuristan province, a number of polling centers were closed due to security concerns. Still many people exercised their franchise right. Kalagosh Mohibullah from Noorgram said: "Polling centers opened in our village but the turnout was low. My family members did not vote due to security threats."

mam/mud