13:29
5.4.2014
Robert Dixon, an election observer from the European Union:
"The election is very important and it's great to see people being able to vote here. At this individual site we've seen no problems. It's been very good. I can't speak for any other sites, but at this site it has been very good."
"We are part of the European election assessment team. We are traveling around as many polling stations around Kabul as we can and we will be keeping an eye on the overall [voting] process as it rolls out across Afghanistan."
Radio Free Afghanistan in Kabul
"The election is very important and it's great to see people being able to vote here. At this individual site we've seen no problems. It's been very good. I can't speak for any other sites, but at this site it has been very good."
"We are part of the European election assessment team. We are traveling around as many polling stations around Kabul as we can and we will be keeping an eye on the overall [voting] process as it rolls out across Afghanistan."
Radio Free Afghanistan in Kabul
13:27
5.4.2014
Afghan Women voters
Anisa form Kandahar:
"[I voted] for my country to be prosperous, secure, developed and independent. I am hoping that all other women will also vote for someone that will serve our country."
Hawa Hazrati form Kabul:
"Women's participation was wonderful. The process was transparent, and clean. I am proud of our security forces because they made me feel secure like a new bride."
Radio Free Afghanistan
Anisa form Kandahar:
"[I voted] for my country to be prosperous, secure, developed and independent. I am hoping that all other women will also vote for someone that will serve our country."
Hawa Hazrati form Kabul:
"Women's participation was wonderful. The process was transparent, and clean. I am proud of our security forces because they made me feel secure like a new bride."
Radio Free Afghanistan
13:22
5.4.2014
13:19
5.4.2014
Noor Mohammad Noor, spokesman of the Independent Election Commission:
"Overall, some places were overcrowded, so the [Election] Commission decided to send extra materials as soon as possible to the places where people could not get ballot papers. We will open extra voting centers in close nearby areas and voters will be directed to those places so they can cast votes."
Radio Free Afghanistan
"Overall, some places were overcrowded, so the [Election] Commission decided to send extra materials as soon as possible to the places where people could not get ballot papers. We will open extra voting centers in close nearby areas and voters will be directed to those places so they can cast votes."
Radio Free Afghanistan
13:02
5.4.2014
12:59
5.4.2014
12:51
5.4.2014
Reports of ballot paper shortages adding up
RFA reporters in Afghanistan’ northern provinces of Balkh, Jawzjan and Faryab say several voting centers are out of ballots.
RFA reporters in Afghanistan’ northern provinces of Balkh, Jawzjan and Faryab say several voting centers are out of ballots.
12:45
5.4.2014
The Afghan Election Commission spokesperson, Noor Mohammad Noor, says that 211 voting centers (about 4 percent) were not opened due to security concerns today. Earlier, the commission had predicted that as many as 10 percent of the stations would be closed. -- Freshta Jalalzai
12:43
5.4.2014
'Just Like a Bride': Two Kabul voters, two impressions of the day
Via our Afghan Service:
A woman voter:
"“I just voted. Everything -- the voting process -- was clean and transparent. I am proud of our security forces. They made me feel so secure, just like a bride.”
A male voter in Kabul's Bagrami district:
"We were kicked out of the voting center. There weren’t enough ballot papers. We've been waiting outside the center since 12:00 PM and nothing has changed."
-- Freshta Jalalzai
Via our Afghan Service:
A woman voter:
"“I just voted. Everything -- the voting process -- was clean and transparent. I am proud of our security forces. They made me feel so secure, just like a bride.”
A male voter in Kabul's Bagrami district:
"We were kicked out of the voting center. There weren’t enough ballot papers. We've been waiting outside the center since 12:00 PM and nothing has changed."
-- Freshta Jalalzai
12:40
5.4.2014
Key message of the historic day in Afghanistan today: