Like millions of Afghans, political leaders including president Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah cast their votes in the country’s third presidential elections in Kabul on Saturday. Afghans have come out to vote despite skepticism about transparency and allegations of fraud and mismanagement.

Mr. Ghani, who is seeking re-election, gave a speech paying homage to the Afghan people who defied insurgent threats and who came out to vote.

“I thank all Afghans for their commitment to democracy and to a prosperous and sovereign Afghanistan. Participation in the elections indicates a commitment to the Constitution of Afghanistan. Elections determine the continuation of the democratic system in Afghanistan,” said Ghani after casting his vote in Amani High School in Kabul.

Ghani also paid tribute to the members of the Afghan National Security and Defense Forces (ANDSF) for their hard work to secure the process over the past two months up to the present. 

“Afghan security forces are our pride and they have shown their commitment to the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan,” Ghani said, addressing the ANDSF members who have been tackling a Taliban insurgency in multiple fronts across the nation.

Ghani, who supports increased roles for women at high leadership levels, thanked Afghan women for taking part in the elections.

On the peace process Ghani said: “Our plan for peace is ready, at the moment we are awaiting the verdict of the nation.”

Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah also cast his vote in Kabul and honored the people’s participation:

“We want to pay our tribute to the great Afghan people for taking part in the elections despite threats. As a citizen I would like to say to the Taliban that threatening and killing innocent people will not support your stance. Threatening civilians is not something that will achieve your goal,” said Abdullah, referring to a recent statement by the Taliban in which they vowed to disrupt the process.

Meanwhile, Ghani’s Second Vice President Danish also called on Afghans to participate in the election in large numbers.

“I call on the Afghan people to come in large numbers and determine their future through ballots,” said Second Vice President Mohammad Sarwar Danish.

Responding to a recent statement by the Taliban, Danish said: “As you know, the Taliban in a statement threatened people who would vote, but it’s not something new. We have experienced similar situations over the years, they threatened the people in every election. Fortunately, despite threats, the people of Afghanistan are taking part in the election with special zeal and fervor.”

Meanwhile, officials from the Independent Electoral Complaints Commission (IECC) said that today’s voting is critical to determine the future of the country through the democratic process.

“It’s a historic day for Afghanistan and our people,” said IECC chief Zuhra Bayan Shinwari.

Shinwari calls on the people to play an active role in preventing fraud in today’s election.

Tight security measures:

Tight security measures are underway as Afghans begin voting in in the country’s third presidential election.  Tens of thousands of Afghan forces have been deployed across the country to counter possible threats by the militants who have vowed to disrupt the process.

TOLOnews correspondent Khalik Nekzad reports from the eastern province of Nangarhar that he saw many people including female voters flocking to the voting centers to exercise their democratic rights.

Meanwhile, security officials in the province have assured that the Afghan Security and Defense Forces (ANDSF) are on red alert to handle any threats facing the country.

There are 456 polling centers in Nangarhar and 61 of them will remain closed due to threats.

“We want to assure the faithful people of Jalalabad that they can use their votes without having any kind of worries. People have started moving towards the polling centers even though it is early in the morning,” a top security official in Nangarhar said.

Also, in the central province of Bamiyan, provincial governor Tahir Zuhair was among the top officiasl who cast his vote.

TOLOnews correspondent Gulabuddin Ghubar reported from Bamiyan that all 219 polling centers are open for voting in the province.

“All 219 sites are working at the moment in Bamiyan province and there are no obstacles to the process,” said Zuhair.

Also in the southern province of Kandahar voting started under tight security measures.

Afghans reactions:

“There are no significant problems, I came to the center and cast my vote without any problem,” said one voter in Kandahar.

“The voting was in a normal environment. Afghans are casting their vote with courage,” explains Abdul Ghani, a #Helmand resident who in Lashkargah.

In the northern province of Balkh, voting started at around 7:00 am.

TOLOnews reporter Sharif Amiri reports that there are tight security measures being taken in the province.

174 centers are open for voting in the Balk.