Huge Turnout As Afghanistan Votes For New Leader

Afghans across the country have taken part in a historic event, the first ever democratic transition of power in Afghanistan's history. Turnout was high and security tight as voters went to the polls in their droves. -VOICEOVER— It came as a surprise to many, the number of voters that turned out in Kabul today. Turnout in 2009 presidential elections was four point six million countrywide. This year, there are twelve million eligible voters, according to the Independent Election Commission. Afghans of all ages and tribes lined up to be a part of history -- Afghanistan's first democratic transition of power. --SOUNDBITE—(DARI) VOXPOP VOTER 1 'I feel really good that I have participated in such a great event today and helped select the new president of our country. As a proud Afghan I have come here today to cast my vote.' --SOUNDBITE—(DARI) VOXPOP VOTER 2 'It is the Islamic right of every Afghan to vote and it is also their responsibility to vote.' -VOICEOVER- Security was tight in the Afghan capital, police and military checkpoints were to be found on every street corner. Thousands of extra security personnel have been drafted in to provide security countrywide. However, the voters we talked to seemed undeterred by the potential threats. --SOUNDBITE—(DARI) VOXPOP VOTER 'Before coming to the polling station I thought there would be some threats from the Taliban but I went to several polling sites and saw a huge number of people waiting in lines so finally I came to this one to cast my vote. Security has been handled very well as we thought by the Afghan Army, the National Directorate of Security and Afghan police. We are very happy with the situation and we are not afraid to vote." -VOICEOVER- There are estimated to be over six thousand two hundred polling centres open across the country, and there have been concerns about fraud, though election observers insist they have taken all steps to avoid this. --SOUNDBITE—(DARI) VOXPOP 3 "We look at the voter's fingers, if they already cast their vote then you can see the paint on their finger. We also use a special spray which we put on their thumb. We can then examine it with a special light to see if they voted previously." --SOUNDBITE—(DARI) VOXPOP VOTER 4 "I have heard rumours that people are buying voter cards in and spending huge amounts of money on their campaigns. But I am not one to be bought, I am voting for the best future for my people." -VOICEOVER- With a wide selection of candidates running for office, and no clear frontrunner, this election is predicted to be a very close call, and the likelihood of a runoff is high. --SOUNDBITE—(DARI) VOXOP VOTER W/ KID "The reason we are voting is to have a better future for my children and the new generation in this country so that we can become a more developed nation and educate the uneducated." --VOICEOVER— This is Jack Somerville reporting for the NATO Channel