Afghanistan votes in historic presidential election

April 05, 2014 09:44

Afghans have begun voting for a new president in what will be the nation's first ever transfer of power through the ballot box. A massive security operation is under way to thwart the Taliban which has vowed to disrupt the election.

Eight candidates are vying to succeed Hamid Karzai, who is barred by the constitution from seeking a third consecutive term as president. The poll has already been overshadowed by the shooting of two journalists.

The biggest military operation since the fall of the Taliban in 2001 has been rolled out for the election, says the BBC's David Loyn in Kabul. Heavy rain was falling in the Afghan capital early on Saturday and BBC correspondents said young voters in particular were defying the conditions and the security threats. In parts of the city voters could be seen queuing an hour before polls opened, correspondents say.

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