Big Voter Turnout on Election Day in Afghanistan

World Today

Unafraid and embracing the first peaceful, democratic transfer of power, Afghans waited in long lines on Election Day. 

A “Ring of Steel” formed by the heavy police presence kept voters safe despite repeated Taliban threats that attacks would disrupt the vote. All the big names in Afghanistan made a show of voting: the outgoing presidents, as well as the frontrunners, Asraf Ghani, Abdulluh Abdulluh and Zelmai Rassoul. CCTV’s Sean Callebs reports from Kabul.

Afghans Turn up in Droves on Election Day

Unafraid --and embracing the first peaceful, democratic transfer of power -- Afghans waited in long lines. A so called, "Ring of Steel" keeping voters safe --despite repeated Taliban threats that attacks would disrupt the vote. All the big names in Afghanistan made a show of voting. The outgoing presidents, as well as the frontrunners --Asraf Ghani, Abdulluh Abdulluh and Zelmai Rassoul. CCTV's Sean Callebs reports from Kabul.

As the votes are being counted, and Afghans await the results, there are still many challenges the next leader will face. Scott Smith, Director of the Afghanistan and Central Asia Program at the United States Institute for Peace, discusses the significance of these elections.

Importance of Afghanistan Elections

As the votes are being counted, and Afghans await the results, there are still many challenges the next leader will face. Scott Smith, director for Afghanistan and Central Asia at the United States Institute for Peace discusses the importance of these elections.

MORE COVERAGE OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN AFGHANISTAN