DHAKA: Millions of Afghans have started voting to choose a new leader in an election that could lead to the first democratic transfer of power in the nation`s 5,000 year history.

After months of manoeuvring, jockeying, tribal meetings and campaigning, Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai, Abdullah Abdullah and Zalmai Rassoul have emerged as the frontrunners in Saturday`s polls, coming from a field of eight candidates that includes everyone from former mujahedeen commanders to Western-educated technocrats.

All three men command a similar number of supporters and the race is seen as wide open with voters, analysts and longtime observers uncertain of the outcome – a rarity in a country where much in politics has traditionally been decided by backroom deals or through convoluted patronage networks.

Outgoing President Hamid Karzai has cast his vote early Saturday amid tight security across the country.

two people including a police chief in Wardak province, were arrested for allegedly stuffing five ballot boxes in the district of Saeedabad.  

Adding to the uncertainty is a vow from the Taliban, intent on toppling the government, to disrupt Saturday`s poll.

The group has followed through on that threat, carrying out several attacks in the capital Kabul and across the country that have left many dead and created an atmosphere of insecurity - even with 352,000 troops on duty to provide security for about 12 million voters and 28,500 polling stations

On the eve of the vote, two Associated Press news agency journalists were shot as they reported on the preparations. Anja Niedringhaus, a 48-year-old German photographer, was killed and journalist Kathy Gannon was injured.

In a move that underlined the complexities of the race, a last minute drama unfolded on Friday when a rumour swept Kabul that Hamid Karzai, the incumbent, had switched his support from Rassoul – who as former foreign minister is seen as Karzai’s chosen successor – to Ghani.

"That is absolute nonsense. This is very dirty politics, and very false rumours," a top official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Al Jazeera.

"They are trying to capture power in this way, but it is absolutely unacceptable to the Afghan nation," he said, adding that he was certain of Rassoul`s victory.

But he added: "I am not prophesising anything in advance. That is the decision of the Afghan nation."

Source: aljazeera
BDST: 1143 HRS, APR 05, 2014