Residents of southern Kandahar province cast their votes in Wolesi Jirga election on Saturday as problems in balloting persisted despite a promise from Independent Election Commission (IEC) to resolve them.
Having had a week to sort out problems that plagued polling centers and stations around the country last Saturday, it was hoped that by now these issues would have been ironed out.
Though, the Independent Election Commission (IEC) promised to open polling centers at 7am as scheduled and to resolve problems with voter lists and the biometric system.
But some polling centers were not opened as of 8am, while dozens of people lined up outside. Voters also complained about problems with the voter lists and said that there were also problems regarding the biometric system.
Residents said some polling stations opened late and election materials also arrived late at some centers.
Despite Taliban threats, voters turned out in large numbers and encouraged others to take part.
“I request all men, women, young and old that if you really want a bright Afghanistan then come out for the sacrifice and cast your vote,” said Mohammad Saddiq a senior citizen.
Bashir Ahmad, another resident of Kandahar, who is disabled and came to cast his vote, called voting vital for the future of Afghanistan and criticized the IEC for not starting the process on time.
However, the IEC later announced an extension of an hour to compensate the delay.
Elections in Kandahar were delayed after the provincial police chief Gen. Abdul Raziq was assassinated in a shootout just two days ahead of the scheduled national October 20 election day.
No major security incident was reported on Election Day in Kandahar.
