KABUL (CP) - Afghans chose a legislature for the first time in decades on Sunday, embracing their newly recovered democratic rights and braving threats of Taliban attacks to cast votes in schools, tents and mosques.
Reports of violence came in from around Afghanistan as it sought to claw its way back from more than a quarter-century of conflict, but there were no immediate signs of a spectacular attack that officials had feared from Taliban militants who vowed to disrupt the vote.
Read it here.
Comprehensive roundups at Publius Pundit, and Gateway Pundit. Both have links to other sources.
One of the most fascinating aspects of these historic developments is the role being played by women. As the pictures show they are participating fully in the political process while at the same time retaining what many in the West see as the marks of cultural subservience. I find the picture of women in full burkahs waiting outside a polling place particularly interesting -- a reminder that democracy can take many varied forms in different cultures.
UPDATE:
Afghan Lord reports that in some outlying areas like Khost province women did not vote although they were eligible to.
Read it here. Lots of pics and links to pics.
News 24 reports:
Kabul - Afghan President Hamid Karzai said on Sunday the high turnout of women in landmark parliamentary elections was a major development for the conservative, war-scarred country.
Read it here.
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