Afghans have proved their “great love for democracy, peace, and freedom,” said the Hewad (Afghanistan) in an editorial. Defying Taliban threats and heavy rain, millions of Afghans lined up at thousands of polling places across the country last week to choose a successor to two-term President Hamid Karzai. An estimated 7 million of the 12 million eligible voters turned out—2.5 million more than in the 2009 election. One third of these “happy and enthusiastic” voters were women. By exercising our right at the ballot box, we have hurled “a strong blow at the face of the enemies of peace.” Despite all their pre-election posturing, the Taliban were unable to scare voters from the polls, thanks largely to the brave work of Afghan troops and police.
There was, sadly, some violence, said the Mandegar (Afghanistan). At least 20 people, mainly Afghan security forces, were killed in 140 attacks nationwide. But the death toll was minuscule compared with the millions who participated in the vote, including “women in villages and even in rural and deprived areas.” The astonishing turnout “demonstrated that the people’s mind-set has experienced a considerable change” since the U.S. toppled the brutal Taliban regime in 2001. “Today the people want to shape their destiny.”
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