Elections over in Afghanistan

The Associated Press reports some violence aimed at voters and polling places resulting in 26 deaths;

Taliban threats scared voters and dampened turnout in the militant south Thursday as Afghans voted for president for the second time ever. Insurgents killed 26 Afghans in scattered attacks, but officials said militants failed to disrupt the vote.

After 10 hours of voting, including a last-minute, one-hour extension, election workers began to count millions of ballots. Initial results weren’t expected for several days.

JD Johannes trolled around Kabul during the voting. His photos and narrative are at Outside the Wire. More pictures at ABC News.

Eurasiannet reports that the Afghanistan government is claiming the election is a security success;

Voter turnout appeared to vary widely across the country, with some areas, especially the more volatile southern provinces, reporting low polling. No official polling figures were available and the country’s Independent Election Commission said the actual voter turnout would not be made public for three or four days.

Preliminary results of the counting process are expected to be available by August 25. The certified results will take much longer, however, and can be released only after the Electoral Complaints Commission has completed its investigation into any complaints it receives.

My infidel prayers are with them.

More links at Mudville Gazette.

Category: Foreign Policy, Terror War