16:04
5.4.2014
Here's a final summary of today's historic presidential vote. Thanks for following with us today.
- Polling stations have officially closed. There have been complaints throughout the country of ballot shortages and long lines amid higher than expected turnout.
- According to preliminary estimates by Afghanistan's election commissioner, 7 million out of 12 million Afghans cast a vote (58 percent). If these numbers hold, they would be a vast improvement over 2009, when one-third of eligible voters participated.
- Preliminary results from the first round are not expected until April 24.
- According to the Afghanistan Interior Ministry nine police, seven Afghan army members and 89 insurgents were killed on election day. Four civilians were killed and 43 were injured.
- The Taliban had promised to disrupt the vote and there were fears of widespread violence, but there were no large-scale attacks. Around 352,000 security forces were deployed nationwide to provide security.
- Among the eight candidates, the front-runners are former Finance Minister Ashraf Ghani and two former foreign ministers, Abdullah Abdullah and Zalmai Rasul.
- To win, a candidate must secure more than 50 percent of the vote. Otherwise, there will be a runoff between the top two candidates on May 28. Observers say a second round is very likely.
- The presidential vote took place on the same day as provincial council elections in each of the country’s 34 provinces.
All times are Kabul local time.
- Polling stations have officially closed. There have been complaints throughout the country of ballot shortages and long lines amid higher than expected turnout.
- According to preliminary estimates by Afghanistan's election commissioner, 7 million out of 12 million Afghans cast a vote (58 percent). If these numbers hold, they would be a vast improvement over 2009, when one-third of eligible voters participated.
- Preliminary results from the first round are not expected until April 24.
- According to the Afghanistan Interior Ministry nine police, seven Afghan army members and 89 insurgents were killed on election day. Four civilians were killed and 43 were injured.
- The Taliban had promised to disrupt the vote and there were fears of widespread violence, but there were no large-scale attacks. Around 352,000 security forces were deployed nationwide to provide security.
- Among the eight candidates, the front-runners are former Finance Minister Ashraf Ghani and two former foreign ministers, Abdullah Abdullah and Zalmai Rasul.
- To win, a candidate must secure more than 50 percent of the vote. Otherwise, there will be a runoff between the top two candidates on May 28. Observers say a second round is very likely.
- The presidential vote took place on the same day as provincial council elections in each of the country’s 34 provinces.
All times are Kabul local time.