Elections: Mark II

Here in the US, Wednesday the 19th is winding down. In Afghanistan, Wednesday the 19th has already happened. It is a funny thing to think that a place half the world away is experiencing what we would consider the future. However, in the early hours of election day in Afghanistan (it is after 1 am on Thursday the 20th at the time of this writing), two things have become clear: there will be blood and there will be controversy.

After yesterday's posting, an attack occurred in the heart of Kabul wherein insurgents caused the deaths of civilians and American troops, indicating that they are unafraid of walking directly into the lions den in order to cause fear and chaos ahead of the election. However, that being said, Afghani voters are turning out to register and vote in former Taliban strong holds or under direct threat of violence by the Taliban, indicating that Afghanis are too invested in achieving peace and democracy to be stopped by fear.

The gut check here is optimistic. Election day is underway and the polls officially open in mere hours. Even though violence occurred on Wednesday and many were hurt while several died (including poll workers), Afghani security forces are on alert and Afghani voters will not be deterred. These are promising signs that Afghanistan will make it through Thursday's Presidential election, even if it isn't unscathed.