World

Afghanistan election: Voters defy violence to cast ballots

October 21, 2018 4:09 pm

Voters in Afghanistan have defied deadly attacks to cast ballots in large numbers in the nation’s long-awaited parliamentary elections.

Several explosions targeted polling stations, with dozens of people killed or injured in scores of incidents across the country.

Voters unable to cast ballots on Saturday turned out on Sunday as polling was extended in some areas.

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A new biometric verification system had caused technical problems.

Violence also marred the election campaigning, with 10 candidates killed in the run-up to the polls. Both the Taliban and the Islamic State group had vowed to disrupt them.

Kandahar vote delayed after Gen Raziq killed
What’s at stake in the parliament vote?
More than 2,500 candidates, including many women, are vying for 250 seats in the legislative elections, which are being held more than three years late.

What are the levels of violence?
Saturday saw dozens of incidents of violence, with at least 36 people killed and 130 injured across the country, but this was still a lower figure than some had feared. Among the incidents: