Afghan Voter Turnout About 50 Percent
Posted on: Monday, 19 September 2005, 09:00 CDT
Voter turnout in Afghanistan's legislative elections was just over 50 percent, down 20 percent from last fall's presidential election, officials say.
Election officials said about 6 million people voted in Sunday's poll, the BBC reported Monday. Altogether 12.5 million people registered to vote, but officials suspect the actual number of voters is smaller as there were many multiple registrations.
Security fears no doubt affected the turnout. Some eligible voters also said they did not want to vote for warlord candidates, the BBC said.
Many people found the election too confusing, as most candidates had no declared political ties. It was the country's first legislative election in more than 30 years.
Ballot boxes are being taken to counting centers by truck, helicopter and donkey. Counting is to begin Tuesday, with results expected at least two weeks later.
President Hamid Karzai said he hoped the Parliament would provide a strong focus for democracy in the country, even if a majority of deputies opposed him.
Source: United Press International
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