20 August 2009 - 4:04 pm: Early morning, voters were queuing up in front of polling centres, waiting to be allowed in to cast their votes.

In most centres, the polling staff voted first, before opening the polling stations and allowing the voters in.

Mushgam Qasemi, the polling station manager at the Bag-e-Dasht school, which has around 300 estimated voters, male and female, described the atmosphere: “People are happy to vote, it is not compulsory, but they came early to make sure they can cast their ballot.”

In the polling stations, staff and observers performed their duties in an orderly manner.

Abdel Jamil, an observer for a relative who is a candidate in the provincial elections, pointed out: “We have witnessed that the polling centre manager is going behind the screen to tell people whom to vote for.” Although he doesn't know who the manager is supporting, he suspects it may be a local provincial candidate.

This problem is also mentioned in other stations, concerning illiterate, mostly female, voters.

“They do not know who to vote for, or how to do it”, explained Humeira, an observer with the Free and Fair Elections Organization in Afghanistan at the Tajorbawi School.

However, Humeira has seen no violations in the polling centre she covers: “It is going very smoothly. Only minor technical difficulties have been reported.”

Most polling staff complain that the hole punchers given to mark the voter’s cards do not function.

After they requested the Independent Election Commission for guidance, they have been instructed to use scissors.

“The turn out is really good. I even had difficulties entering the centre because of all the women queuing up outside,” said Fahima, polling centre manager.

Sayyed Abdul Wahim, who lost one leg during a mine explosion under the Soviets, spares no effort to go and vote with his cane.

At 65, it is the second time he has voted. He believes God will decide what happens, but he has to fulfil his duty.

He explained: “I am happy to vote, though the security conditions have been deteriorating. Change will come, but it will be slow.”

In the Jami Mosque, the famous monument of Herat, voters are scarce in the early afternoon.

“We have had a good turn up this morning, but now it is lunch and prayer time," indicated Abdul Wase, a district field coordinator.

Three thousand people came in the morning, and more were expected in this centre that can host an estimated 10,000 voters.

Francesco Motta, UNAMA’s Head of Office for the Western Region, who came to show support to the electoral staff and voters, enquired about difficulties the staff may have faced.

Abdul Wase explained that the process is unhindered.

One of his polling station managers indicated: "Voters came slightly after 7 am, and we have faced no difficulties besides minor problems with the puncher, the ink that some can wipe off and certain observers."

Herat city appears deserted, shops are closed, but the population, who feared violence, appears committed to vote, and confident it will help the country move forward.

By Henri Bugard, UNAMA