Afghans to the Polls

Via the BBC:  Afghanistan election: Millions vote in presidential poll

Eight candidates are seeking to succeed Hamid Karzai, who is barred by the constitution from seeking a third consecutive term as president.

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Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) secretary Ziaul Haq Amarkhel said seven million people had voted by 17:00 local time, when the polls had officially closed.

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Steven L. Taylor
About Steven L. Taylor
Steven L. Taylor is a Professor of Political Science and a College of Arts and Sciences Dean. His main areas of expertise include parties, elections, and the institutional design of democracies. His most recent book is the co-authored A Different Democracy: American Government in a 31-Country Perspective. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Texas and his BA from the University of California, Irvine. He has been blogging since 2003 (originally at the now defunct Poliblog). Follow Steven on Twitter

Comments

  1. Dave D says:

    There are eight candidates for president, but three are considered frontrunners – former foreign ministers Abdullah Abdullah and Zalmai Rassoul, and former Finance Minister Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai.

    Dr Abdullah has fought a polished campaign, Mr Ghani has strong support among the new urban youth vote and Dr Rassoul is believed to favoured by Hamid Karzai, our correspondent says.

    Steven I will be the first to admit I know nothing about any of these candidates or really the overall make up of the Afghani government. However, is there any chance any of the possible successors may renew the Status of Forces Agreement?

  2. OzarkHillbilly says:

    @Dave D: From what I have read, all of the candidates want to sign the new Status of Forces agreement.

  3. stonetools says:

    Wish the Afghans the best of luck. Hope they choose wisely this time.

  4. BC says:

    All of the candidates have online reference material. Zalmai Rassoul has had a long history of interaction with Hamid Karzai. Whomever “wins” will need to have significant political skill, and it would not hurt to be lucky. I echo stonetools comments. All three have indicated that they would sign the Status of Forces Agreement.