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Afghan election officials count ballot papers after polls closed in Kabul on June 14.
Afghan election officials count ballot papers after polls closed in Kabul on June 14.

Live Blog: Election Day In Afghanistan

Latest News

-- The vote count continues, as does the investigation into hundreds of claims of vote fraud. Final preliminary results are expected on July 2, and final results on July 22.

-- Many media refrained from reporting violence during the vote, but officials said June 15 that more than 270 Taliban attacks were recorded, resulting in the deaths of 50 civilians.

-- In one attack, a roadside bomb exploded beside a minibus that was carrying Afghan election workers home, killing 10 adults and a child.

-- Taliban militants severed the voting fingers of 11 voters in Herat Province.

-- The Independent Electoral Commission initially said that there were signs that voter turnout exceeded 7 million, putting it roughly on par with the first-round vote in April.

-- Officials said that, of those who turned out, 38 percent were women and 62 percent were men.

* NOTE: Times are stated according to local time in Kabul
15:20 13.6.2014
14:59 13.6.2014
13:37 13.6.2014
Our experts discussed the Afghan election today. You can still watch it here!
13:16 13.6.2014
Join us for a Google + Hangout on Friday, June 13 at 9:30 am (Washington, D.C.), 3:30 pm (Prague, Czech Republic) 6 pm (Kabul, Afghanistan).

Panelists:

Frud Bezhan, RFE/RL’s Central Newsroom Correspondent, live blogging on the campaign, the election, and its repercussions direct from Kabul.

Akbar Ayazi, Regional Director of Broadcasting, Prague, overseeing RFE/RL's Afghanistan and Pakistan broadcast services. Ayazi is a frequent commentator on Afghan politics, and before joining RFE/RL, was a broadcaster for Afghan National Radio and TV.

Daud Khattak
, Senior Editor with RFE/RL's Pakistan Service, Radio Mashaal. Khattak, based in Prague, has written for "Foreign Policy," "Christian Science Monitor" and "CTC Sentinel." He is an expert on militancy in Pakistan's tribal areas, the Pakistani Taliban, and Pashtun politics and society.

Moderator: Mardo Soghom, RFE/RL’s Regional Director for Iran & Iraq. Based in Prague, Soghom has written extensively on Middle East politics and previously served as News Director for Radio Farda, RFE/RL’s Persian Service.

We invite you to post questions in advance and follow updates for live links to the Google+ Hangout on Twitter and Facebook. #RFERLive @RFERL
13:15 13.6.2014
The Symbols Behind The Candidates

Ashraf Ghani

The former finance minister and World Bank official chose the Koran as his symbol.

It is unclear why, exactly, he chose the Koran. But the Western-educated technocrat could be looking to show voters his religious side. Afghanistan is one of the world's most deeply religious and conservative countries and some Afghans could be wary of a candidate with ties to the West.

Abdullah Abdullah

The former foreign minister adopted a symbol of education -- a book and a pen.

Abdullah is a qualified eye surgeon and the 2009 election runner-up has often spoken about the importance of education.

The Afghan Independent Electoral Commission published a list of all the 11 originally registered candidates, along with their chosen symbols. Our correspondent Frud Bezhan asked "Will The Next Afghan President Be A Pen, Radio, Or Bulldozer?" way back in October.
12:37 13.6.2014
12:24 13.6.2014
The Chinese Foreign Ministry has expressed hope that the Afghan presidential election will run smoothly and said Beijing will continue to support peaceful reconstruction and national reconciliation in the country.
12:22 13.6.2014
Emergency Number

Police in Afghanistan have created a hotline for people to call if they see any suspicious activity or want to report violence or claims of electoral fraud.
12:05 13.6.2014
ELECTION TIMELINE

May 22 : Run-off campaign began

June 11: Campaign ended

June 14: Election day

July 2: Preliminary results announced

July 16: Complaints body submits final report

July 22: Final results announced

This is the timeline given by the IEC. But depending on the level of fraud, violence, and how close the race is, we could see significant delays.
11:57 13.6.2014

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