Polling centres in different parts of Kabul witnessed few voters in the morning but authorities expected the numbers to increase as the day progressed. In Kandhar, one of the largest cities in the country, few voters were seen at polling stations despite no major attack by the militants opposing the elections. 

Taliban militants have opposed the elections and threatened to punish those participating in the elections. Although no major attack was launched by the militants till noon, there were reports of rocket being fired in Helmand province and an explosion in Kabul. 

President Hamid Karzai, who voted in the morning at a Kabul school, appealed to the people to come out and vote to ensure peace in the country. Karzai has been the Afghan president since 2001, when US led forces ousted the Taliban from Kabul.

He faces a challenge from former foreign minister Abdullah Abdullah, who made a late but strong surge into the electoral battle.