Afghans vote for second day amid violence, technical issues

Afghanistan’s second day of parliamentary elections marred by violence and delays caused by technical issues came to a close as a roadside bomb on Sunday brought the death toll over the past two days to over 50, including several children.

Independent Elections Commission Chairman Abdul Badi Sayat congratulated voters for turning out, saying that around 4 million people out of the 8.8 million registered voters cast their ballots over the past two days at 4576 polling centres across the country.

He added that the commission still hasn’t received the final turnout reports from all 32 provinces.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani also thanked citizens for their participating during a speech carried on state TV.

“Afghans did not only show their enemies that they would not surrender to any threats or warnings, but that they also have the power and will to defeat their enemies,” Ghani said, referring to threats by the Taliban and Islamic State affiliate warning voters against casting ballots.

The biggest turnout was in Kabul and the lowest in the southern Uruzgan province, according to IEC officials.

Polling on Sunday continues at 401 voting centres, including 45 in Kabul. Preliminary results will not be released before mid-November and final results will not be out until December.

The first parliamentary elections since 2010 are being held against a backdrop of near-daily attacks by the Taliban, who have seized nearly half the country and have repeatedly refused offers to negotiate with the Kabul government.