Afghanistan goes to the polls

5 04 2014 Afghanistan goes to the polls today to elect a new President and representatives to about 450 seats in the Provincial Council. Polling begins at 8 this morning and about 20 million voters are eligible to exercise their franchise. The eight candidates are in the fray for the President’s post.
They include two former Afghan Foreign Ministers – Abdullah Abdullah and Zalmai Rassoul, two former Finance Ministers – Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai and Hidayat Amin Arsala, Islamist leader Abdul Rab Rassoul Sayyaf, former Governor Ghul Agha Sherza, former member of Afghan Parliament Daoud Sultanzoy and former Hizb-e-Islami leader Qutubuddin Hilal.
Afghanistan has closed down all crossing points with Pakistan to ensure smooth polling for Presidential elections. Pakistani military has deployed additional troops on the Afghan border since 20th of March to reinforce existing security arrangements.