Free and fair?

Almost defiantly, the Afghan foreign ministry declared that election day was a success. Indeed, there are some who say the events could pass as a trial run for democracy, as a step toward real democratic change, peace and prosperity.

On the surface it may have been a day to remember: in many provinces and towns voters lined up to elect a new president, defying the Taliban and others who are so intent on destabilizing the country. A wonderful image that was pounced on by the government, which had even attempted to impose a blackout on media coverage of violence and intimidation. However, it was a different story in many other areas, the city of Kunduz in particular was targeted relentlessly by Taliban rocket attacks and at least five people were hurt there on election day.

Then there are the figures: 200,000 Afghan and 100,000 international security forces were dispatched to protect the polling stations - hardly the sign of a normal election day, and if those numbers ultimately fail to provide adequate security, the situation becomes even more farcical.

The violence has also overshadowed another danger overshadowing these polls, namely fraud and vote rigging. Many polling stations were forced to stay shut, not only those in the Taliban-dominated south. Others may have opened, however election observers were not granted access - thus it's almost impossible to know what happened at those polling stations.

There was evidence of fraud at the last presidential election in 2004, this time observers say the vote rigging was systematic. It has been widely reported that incumbent - and unpopular - leader Hamid Karzai has absolutely no interest in being forced into a run-off poll, which could see him defeated.

As always these allegations are based on rumors and counter-rumors, however the very fact that the electoral commission, tasked with guaranteeing a free and fair poll, sent out thousands of election documents to children ineligible to vote highlights the lack of transparency and fairness, and further undermines any confidence in the government.

Should these allegations be confirmed, it could spell the beginning of the end for a democratically-rooted Afghanistan.

Sabina Matthay is DW's correspondent in Afghanistan (rm)
Editor: Susan Houlton