Millions of Afghans vote, defy Taliban threats
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-09-19 06:50

"I am so happy, so happy," said Khatereh Mushafiq, 18, her black veil decorated with white flowers pulled back from her beaming face as she went to vote at a girl's school in Kandahar.

"We are also now taking part in the government and in society. People must take part, people must have a say."

Karzai called it a historic day.

"The Afghan people have proven once again that they know their interest, that they can work for tomorrow, that they have a vision and that they have voted for that vision," he said.

But he warned the vote would not end the insurgency.

"The attack on Afghanistan will continue tomorrow and the day after tomorrow," he said.

Even so, a successful poll will be a boost for the U.S. administration, allowing it to portray Afghanistan as a success to set against the gloom from Iraq and Hurricane Katrina.

That said, the election is expected to produce a fragmented national assembly focusing on local interests, which some analysts say may be more of a help than a hindrance to Karzai.

Many Afghans have also been dismayed that warlords blamed for rights abuses have been able to run in the elections and they represent potential trouble in or outside parliament.

Erben said counting would start on Tuesday and take about 16 days with final results on October 22.

Yunus Qanuni, runner up to Karzai last year and now heading an opposition bloc, predicted before the polls his alliance would win 50 percent of seats. Karzai, who has not campaigned, said he would welcome opposition from a new parliament.

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