InfoAnda - Low turnout seen in Afghan election; 26 killed

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

U.S. Airlines Report Dramatic Drop In Passenger Revenue, Demand | 21 July 2009
Exiled Uighur leader Kadeer invited to New Zealand | 5 October 2009
Nobel Literature winner to be announced Oct 7 | | 1 October 2010

Volkswagon sells record 4 million cars worldwide during first half of year | 15 July 2011

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Low turnout seen in Afghan election; 26 killed

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail Yahoo! Search Search: Sign InNew User? Sign Up News Home - Help Navigation Primary Navigation Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Secondary Navigation Australia China India Indonesia Japan Malaysia Philippines Thailand Vietnam Search Search: Low turnout seen in Afghan election; 26 killed By JASON STRAZIUSO and ROBERT H. REID,Associated Press Writers AP - Friday, August 21 KABUL - Millions of Afghans defied threats Thursday to cast ballots in the country's second national elections since Taliban rule, but turnout appeared weaker this time because of continuing violence, fear and disenchantment. In much of the Taliban's southern strongholds, many people did not dare to vote, bolstering the hopes of President Hamid Karzai's chief rival. ADVERTISEMENT At least 26 people were killed in election-related violence, fewer than had been feared. Officials began counting millions of ballots as soon as the polls closed at 5 p.m. after a one-hour extension. First preliminary results weren't expected for several days, and some major candidates were already alleging fraud. A top election official, Zekria Barakzai, told The Associated Press that he estimated 40 to 50 percent of the country's 15 million registered voters cast ballots _ far lower than the 70 percent who voted in the presidential election in 2004. Nevertheless, many Afghans did vote, some at great risk to their lives. Many waited until midday to see whether the Taliban would carry through with threats to attack polling stations. Some proudly showed off the ink on their index fingers to prove they had voted. "I know the security situation of my country is not good, but I have made my decision to come and cast my vote anyway," said Shukran Ahmad, 32, said as he waited at a polling center in western Kabul. "I wanted to be the first person to vote today in this polling center." Authorities managed to open 6,202 polling centers _ 95 percent of those planned, according to Barakzai. The top U.N. official in the country, Kai Eide, said the election "seems to be working well," and NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen hailed the balloting as "testimony to the determination of the Afghan people to build democracy." International officials had predicted an imperfect election _ Afghanistan's second-ever direct presidential vote _ but expressed hope that Afghans would accept the outcome as legitimate, a key component of President Barack Obama's strategy for the war. A low turnout and allegations of fraud could cast doubt over the legitimacy of the vote and raise fears that followers of defeated candidates may take to the streets like opposition supporters in neighboring Iran following June's contentious presidential ballot there. Hours after the polls closed, the deputy campaign manager for Karzai's top challenger, former Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah, was alleging "very large scale" fraud in at least three of the country's 34 provinces where Karzai had been expected to run well but where turnout appeared low. "The ballot boxes were stuffed and now we're investigating to see how big it was," Saleh Mohammad Registani told the AP. "We're going to work under electoral law. Overall, we are satisfied with the election, and we are optimistic about the result. But so far we don't know about the extent of the fraud." Another presidential candidate, Ramazan Bashardost, who had 10 percent support in pre-election polls, said he washed off the supposedly indelible ink used to identify people who had already voted. He called on authorities to "immediately stop this election." Fraud allegations aside, a low turnout in the ethnic Pashtun south would harm Karzai's re-election chances and boost the standing of Abdullah, who draws his strength from the Tajik minority. Turnout in the Tajik north appeared to be stronger, a good sign for Abdullah. Karzai, a Pashtun tribal leader who has held power since a U.S.-led invasion ousted the Taliban in late 2001 by a U.S.-led invasion, was favored to finish first among 36 official candidates. A strong showing by Abdullah could force a runoff if no one wins more than 50 percent. The election was carried out despite Taliban threats to disrupt the vote and punish those who took part in "this American process." Karzai said militants carried out 73 election day attacks in 15 provinces _ a 50 percent increase over recent days, according to NATO figures. Karzai's ministers of defense and interior said attacks killed eight Afghan soldiers, nine police and nine civilians. A U.S. service member died in a mortar attack in the east Thursday, bringing to at least 33 the number of U.S. troops killed this month. In Kabul, security companies reported at least five bomb attacks, and police exchanged fire for more than an hour with a group of armed men. Police said two suicide bombers died in the clash, police said. Those militant attacks did not rise to the level that officials had feared, in part because of stringent security measures taken by Afghan forces and their U.S. and NATO allies. Nevertheless, the Taliban pre-election campaign of intimidation seemed to dampen turnout, especially in areas where the extremists are strongest. An election official in Kandahar, the south's largest city and the Taliban's spiritual birthplace, said turnout there appeared to be 40 percent lower than in the 2004 election. The official asked not to be identified because he wasn't authorized to release turnout figures. An AP reporter in southern Helmand province, where thousands of U.S. and British troops are battling the Taliban partly to make it safe to vote, said turnout was also modest. More than 20 rockets struck the Helmand capital of Lashkar Gah, including one near a line of voters that killed a child. Journalists also reported lower turnouts in Kabul than during the 2004 election. Many shopkeepers shuttered their stores, and relatively few private vehicles were seen on the capital's streets. U.S. officials had hoped for a wide turnout as a symbolic rejection of the insurgency. The voting was seen partly as a test of the ability of U.S. forces to protect civilians _ the new top military priority _ and the willingness of voters to accept that help. The Foreign Ministry asked news organizations to avoid "broadcasting any incidence of violence" during voting, and Afghan officials appeared reluctant to confirm violence, but the order did not significantly affect the flow of information during the day. The next president will lead a nation plagued by armed insurgency, drugs, corruption and a feeble government. Violence has risen sharply in Afghanistan in the last three years, and the U.S. now has more than 60,000 forces in the country. Some of the lower turnout may have stemmed from public disillusionment with politics after years of corruption, sluggish economy, poverty and rising violence. Karzai won his first regular term in 2004 with 55 percent of the vote, riding a wave of public optimism. Instead of progress, the country slipped into a steep decline as a corruption, opium poppy production and violence increased. "I am not voting," said Mohammad Tahir, a 30-year-old shopkeeper in Kabul. "It won't change anything in our country." ___ Associated Press reporters Amir Shah, Fisnik Abrashi, Heidi Vogt and Rahim Faiez in Kabul and Noor Khan in Kandahar contributed to this report. Email Story IM Story Printable View Blog This Sign in to recommend this article » 0 users recommend Related Articles: Asia Pacific U.S. drone strike kills 12 in PakistanReuters - 2 hours 48 minutes ago North Korean team due in South Korea as tensions easeAFP - Friday, August 21 Amnesty urges Malaysia against caning beer-drinking modelAFP - Friday, August 21 Election likely to reset Japan climate targetAFP - Friday, August 21 Japan opposition headed for decisive victory - reportsReuters - Friday, August 21 Most Popular – Asia Pacific Viewed It's nuts! Squirrel becomes a Web sensation Merkel still world's most powerful woman: Forbes Two arrested over biggest gem robbery: police Egypt warns pharaohs' tombs could disappear Canadian singer Celine Dion pregnant with second child View Complete List » Search: Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - Community - Intellectual Property Rights Policy - Help

Other News on Friday, 21 August 2009
US-TECH Summary
Germany turns up pressure on GM over Opel
France arrests three more ETA suspects
Lockerbie bomber sent home to Libya to die | International |
England win toss and bat against Aussies in Ashes Test
Flu fighters battle pandemic online
News International plans to shut free London paper
Putin orders probe of creaking infrastructure | International |
Saudi Arabia censors activists' Twitter pages
U.S. grants $1.2 billion for electronic health records
China launches defense website in transparency bid
Wildfire rages near Athens, threatens homes | International |
Gamers face real weather in new sports simulations
Submarines stop search for Air France black boxes | International |
Somalia fighting kills at least 45: residents | International |
French police finds suspected ETA arms cache | International |
Ex-cop pleads guilty to 2 Calif. bank robberies
Newspaper photo helps ID Seattle man with amnesia
2nd lead poisoning case hits China, 1,300 sick
Teach for America eligible for stimulus
Philippines seizes Turkish ship in gun smuggling
Ore. court rejects car salesman's ethics case
China slams US for violating 'national interests'
LED display technology gets a twist | Technology |
Pakistani Taliban deputy chief says takes command
Bermuda on alert as Hurricane Bill advances
Pakistan hopes Afghan vote will bring stability
Correction: CIA-Secret Program
Sri Lanka's army hastens mine-clearing operations
2 more infants killed in Simplicity bassinets
Group finds more unmarked graves in Indian Kashmir
Flu fighters battle pandemic online | Technology |
AP source: CIA hired contractor to kill al-Qaida
Wal-Mart recalls 1.5 million Durabrand DVD players
3 more rebels who seized Philippine islet killed
Correction: Meltdown 101 Q&A on flash orders
Taiwan Q2 GDP data suggests strong recovery
Nigeria to appeal ruling in S.Korea oil case -source
Taiwan c.bank reiterates loose policy comment
China's secretive military launches Web site
India inflation falls but food prices up amid drought
Twilight author sued for copyright infringement | Entertainment |
Bharti extends merger talks with MTN
HK regulator seeks to freeze assets of US fund
Robert Zemeckis circles Yellow Submarine remake | Entertainment |
China Mobile first-half profit up 1.4 percent
Pakistan's forex reserves surge to $12.96 bln
CORRECTED: Actor Jon Cryer stars in family comedy Shorts | Entertainment |
Australia, New Zealand to relax travel restrictions
Iceland, Ecuador early favorites for Miss Universe
Whitney Houston grants TV interview to Winfrey
Tito Jackson says UK shows will honor Michael
Seinfeld to salute Cosby with top humor prize
Jethro might buy Nev. casino for Hillbillies plan
Judge rejects bid to stop Stella perfume launch
German critics lap up Tarantino's Jewish revenge fantasy
Europe's biggest video games fair kicks off
Suspected US missile strike kills nine in Pakistan
Firefighters battle wildfires in southern Europe
Karzai campaign declares victory in Afghan vote | International |
USAID, partners map Afgan election incidents
Lobbying steps up ahead of Brazil jet fighter decision
Lockerbie bomber sent home to Libya to die | International |
Votes counted as West hails Afghan election
Symantec lists "Dirtiest Web Sites"
Al-Qaida emerges as main suspect in Iraq bombings
French police find ETA explosives caches
Over 600 dead or missing in Taiwan | International |
US economy back 'from the brink': Geithner
China jails four for "Tomato Garden" Microsoft piracy
Porsche says raided in insider trading probe
Players face real weather in new sports video games
Iran parliament to reject Ahmadinejad ministers
North Korean envoys arrive in South | International |
US jobless claims in surprise jump for second week
Out of Africa and into China, emigres struggle | International |
U.S. wants to define broadband, opens wireless inquiry
Fighting kills 22 in Somali capital: medics | International |
Iraq to step up security after wave of bombings
Iran parliament to reject Ahmadinejad ministers: MPs | International |
Obama urges simultaneous moves toward Mideast peace
Iran speaker says ready to study rape allegations
Twitter to show whereabouts of tweeters
Japan opposition headed for decisive victory: reports | International |
U.S. drone strike kills 12 in Pakistan | International |
Justice Department approves Oracle purchase of Sun
Job hunting? Take those wild party pics off Facebook
Website launched for sharing flu research
Players face real weather in new sports video games | Technology |
China jails four for Tomato Garden Microsoft piracy | Technology |
Lockerbie bomber home in Libya amid US anger
North Korean team due in South Korea as tensions ease
U.S. wants to define broadband, opens wireless inquiry | Technology |
Court panel lets immigrant rights case proceed
Amnesty urges Malaysia against caning beer-drinking model
Police: Slain model's fingers, teeth were removed
Election likely to reset Japan climate target
Stanford scientists scan 2,500-year-old mummy
Feds approve Arctic fisheries plan
Seattle mayor fighting to hold onto his job
Japan opposition headed for decisive victory
Woman believed killed in '54 living in Australia
Frustrated tweets new headache for airlines | Technology |
Afghans turn to the Twitterverse for election
Police: Teen hires 3 to beat man over stolen pot
Low turnout seen in Afghan election; 26 killed
Bomb wounds 7 close to Pakistan capital
Groups try to block Idaho, Montana wolf hunts
Office furniture exhibit emphasizes art of design
NKorea-US talks shift to clean energy
Korea Hot Stocks- Daewoo Ship gains after Nigeria ruling
S.Korean bonds rebound on export data, U.S. lead
Seoul shares open higher; Samsung Elec up
S.Korea Aug 1-20 exports fall 23.5 pct vs yr ago
China backs down over PepsiCo, Coca-Cola pollution claims
S.Korean state firm wins oil suit against Nigeria
Tarantino's Basterds marches into theaters | Entertainment |
Studio pushes up Jackson film, Ortega to direct | Entertainment |
New Norah Jones album due in November | Entertainment |
Billy Bob Thornton in the ring for boxing movie | Entertainment |
Panic! At the Disco survivors gain Perspective | Entertainment |
Cyrus scores Hot 100 best; Peas, Mraz make history | Entertainment |
Q&A: Mraz humbled by success of little hippie song | Entertainment |
Graffiti gains ground in China
Jackson film to show for two weeks
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
New Norah Jones album due in November
`Avatar' trailer debuts online amid buzz
Probation for woman caught at Spears' home
Studio pushes up Jackson film, Ortega to direct
Mom's legacy is world renowned black collection
Q&A: Mraz humbled by success of "little hippie song"
DA: Murder charges in Calif. trash bin body case
Militants claim Russia dam disaster
China jails Windows software pirates
Ramadan begins on Saturday amid swine flu worries
Russia rebels claim economic war | International |
Eurozone economy stabilises in August: PMI survey
GM to discuss Opel sale, Merkel presses Magna case
Cyber junkies can unplug at US retreat
Two killed, 20 wounded in Baghdad market attack
Afghan presidential vote count over: commission
WHO says preparation vital for next swine flu wave
Karzai's campaign claims victory in Afghan vote
Libyan Megrahi celebrations unsettle UK government | International |
26 dead, 49 still missing in Russian dam disaster
Gabon's Bongo denounces opponents as traitors | International |
Legal quandary for Texas cricket mogul Stanford
Family of crash victim seeks to sue Air France | International |
Irish punters start to bet on No for Lisbon | International |
Fighting kills 22 in Somali capital Mogadishu | International |
Germans prefer Merkel to rival by record margin | International |
Iran allows U.N. watchdog access to planned reactor | International |
Hollywood playing catch-up with videogames | Technology |
New technology key to gaming sector in downturn | Technology |
News Corp eyes online news consortium: report | Technology |
Decision expected on Fla. double killing videos
China Mobile keen on deals with Taiwan firms | Technology |
Philippine police foil Koreans' kidnapping; kill 2
Poll: Americans losing confidence in Obama
6 police chiefs investigated in China gang bust
N.Korean team visits South to mourn Kim Dae-Jung
International manhunt for US model's suspected killer
Drilling rig spills oil, gas off Australian coast
Wis. public visitation for music legend Les Paul
Ship crew faces smuggling charges in Philippines
Lutherans start last debate on gay clergy proposal
NKorea envoys pay unprecedented tribute in SKorea
Vessel detained for arms smuggling: Philippines
Ex-UBS banker faces sentencing in Florida
College students with flu advised to avoid others
Fire crews board Taiwan tanker to locate missing
Fla. judge could decide runaway convert's fate
NKorean delegation in Seoul to mourn Kim Dae-jung
Anwar sodomy case: No clear evidence, says defense
Hollywood playing catch-up with videogames
Taiwan dollar gains on exporters, GDP
Q+A-How is Typhoon Morakot affecting Taiwan's economy?
Seoul shares end firm; autos, techs lend support =2
Oil above 72 dollars in Asian trade
Bharti hopeful of MTN deal to create telecom giant
Hollywood playing catch-up with videogames | Entertainment |
Seoul shares end firm; autos, techs lend support
Panasonic leans on `Avatar' movie for 3-D pr blitz
China growth can't fulfil jobs demand: ministry
Ailing Japan Airlines eyes cargo tie-up with rival
Randy Jackson, others to testify about deal
NZ Telecom's annual net profit tumbles 44 percent
Baghdad's sole traffic lights: struggle for normality
Panic! At the Disco survivors gain "Perspective"
Billy Bob Thornton in the ring for boxing movie
Tarantino's "Basterds" marches into theaters
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph		BlogMeter 1.01