Afghans defy Taliban to vote, Obama hails 'historic' elections
07 April, 2014
KABUL: Despite a Taliban threat and heavy rains, Afghan citizens turned out in good numbers to vote to elect a new President for their strife-ravaged nation in April 5 Presidential elections which was hailed by world leaders a success.
US President Barack Obama hailed the vote as "historic elections", "I congratulate the millions of Afghans who enthusiastically participated in today's historic elections, which promise to usher in the first democratic transfer of power in Afghanistan's history," he President said in a statement.
Calling the elections "critical to securing Afghanistan's democratic future", Obama said that the Afghan electoral bodies were expected to carry out their duties in the coming weeks to adjudicate the results. The results of the crucial elections, are expected in a week.
According to the country's Independent Electoral Commission, almost 7 million voters had exercised their right to vote out of 12 million people eligible for the polling.
Hailing the voter turnout, Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) chairman Ahmad Yousuf Nouristani said that the election was a message to the enemies of Afghanistan, referring to Taliban.
"With this determination of the honourable people of Afghanistan, the enemies were defeated, " Mr Nouristani said.
Outgoing President Mr Hamid Karzai termed the elections a success saying, "Despite the cold and rainy weather and possible terrorist attack, our sisters and brothers nationwide took in this election and their participation is a step forward and it is a success for Afghanistan." However, Afghanistan did not remain untouched by the untoward incidents as almost 10% of stations were declared unsafe by the election commission.
Also, there were reports of violence in provinces of Kunduz, Logar and Badqhis.
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