Street Beat: FSRN speaks with Afghans at the polls

There were originally 41 candidates vying for the presidential race in Thursday´s elections, including two women, but some dropped out in support of the two front-runners, incumbent President Hamid Karzai and former Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah.

According to the Independent Election Commission of Afghanistan, around 6200 voting centers opened around the country. Several hundred polling places were closed for security reasons. But Defense Minister General Abdul Rahim Wardak said Thursday evening that they expect turnout numbers will be good.

“The Taliban tried all their efforts to disrupt today´s historical and important election but they were not able to do that, they started attacks in some areas in early morning to make the people scared, but the brave Afghans came out of their homes and voted.”

The Defense Minister said 135 cases of insecurity were recorded across the country, including several suicide attacks. He also said 8 Afghan National Army soldiers were killed and 25 injured. About 13 civilians were also killed. But many areas were safe, including the Arzan Qeemat polling center outside Bagrami district, where hundreds of people participated in a national dance before and after voting.

To get an idea of what was on the minds of Afghans today, FSRN sent reporter Zubair Babakarkhail to polling centers, where he talked to voters for this edition of Street  Beat.