While the run up to Afghanistan’s historic, presidential election was fraught with waves of suicide bombings and the barbaric shooting of innocent civilians—braving the weather and defying the ever present Taliban threat—anxious Afghans voted for a new president.
Pictured at right: Kabul on election day
Afghans will choose a successor to President Hamid Karzai, who has served the maximum two-terms allowed by the country’s constitution. Out of eleven presidential candidates the top are two-time presidential candidate Abdullah Abdullah, Zalmai Rassoul, and Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai.
With an ink marked index finger one male 26-year-old voter, who did not wish to be identified for fear of reprisal said, “We are proud to take a step forward for selecting our next president, by voting. It was really inspiring standing behind the voting booth.”
While waves of hope sweep through Afghanistan, what remains to be seen is whether a new president will inspire any significant and lasting change in a country that the international community must never abandon, again.
“All the best Afghanistan,” said another male voter who also chose not to be identified.
Two young Kabul men just votedesident, by voting ! It was really inspiring standing behind the voting booths| what about you?
Burka clad women line up to vote
Editor’s note: In order to protect those who provided both the photos and the feature we are not publishing their names. They are trusted journalistic sources. We are running this feature in order to remind ourselves and our readers just how dangerous it can be to take our democratic institutions for granted.