The voting boxes being set up for the Afghan Election

This election had been promised since the overthrow of the Taleban in 2001. Now after two delays the ten million registered voters got their chance to decide who will be their President.

Lyse Doucet and the World Service teams went to see what the future holds for Afghanistan's people.

Key Issues - Key Players

Afghanistan's presidential election went ahead with little sign of the violence that many had feared. It is widely accepted that there were irregularities which are being investigated. What are the prospects for a successful political transition three years after the overthrow of the Taleban? Lyse Doucet spoke to Seema Ghani, a senior advisor to the Afghan government, Sam Zia Zarifi of Human Rights Watch, and Dr Barnett Rubin, of the New York based Centre of International Co-operation. First question to Seema Ghani, was the election a success? Broadcast 10/10/2004

Lakhdar Brahimi was the UN Secretary-General's special representative for Afghanistan for several years. He was responsible for overseeing all the key phases of the post-Taliben era, including the Bonn conference and the June 2002 Loya Jirga. Was he satisfied with the big day of voting? Broadcast 10/10/2004

The Campaign for Afghanistan's first presidential election officially ended on
Wednesday, with voting due on Saturday. It was marked by a bomb attack on president Hamid Karzai's running mate, renewing fears that the polls could be disrupted by violence. It was also less violently marked by two of Karzai's challengers deciding to support him, with expectations of more such declarations to come. This is because much of the month-long campaign has been conducted through tribal meetings and negotiations that its been much quieter than many expected; but in its last few days, there have been signs of it springing to life. Our Kabul correspondent, Andrew North, reports. Broadcast 06/10/2004

Participation of women in Afghanistan's presidential election on 9th October is likely to be undermined by intimidation and threats from the Taleban and militia commanders. This is according to a report released on the 6th October by Human Rights Watch. There have been many improvements for women since the US-led overthrow of the Taleban in 2001, such as there are now over one million girls in school and equal rights with men are now enshrined in the new constitution. However, many women still have to endure terrible hardship because of deep seeded social attitudes. Andrew North reports. Broadcast 06/10/2004

Hamid Karzai might be the favourite to keep the Afghan presidency in Saturday's election; but he has got competition from sixteen other men and one woman. The most active campaigner is seen as the main challenger. He is 47-year-old Yunus Qanuni, who has criss-crossed the country in recent weeks. He's a Tajik from Afghanistan's northern Panshir valley. He is mainly known for his involvement in the Mujahideen war against the Soviet occupation in the 1980s. He was also a leading minister in President Karzai's government. Despite persistent rumours he might cut a deal and run with Mr Karzai, he insists he's campaigning alone. The Lyse Doucet went with him to Mazaar-I-Sharif in the north. Broadcast 05/10/2004

Three years after the overthrow of Taleban this election is widely seen as a crucial step towards real democracy. However, Afghanistan still has so many problems and so little security. This means the question remains, what kind of an election is it going to be? Lyse Doucet is there. Broadcast 04/10/2004

Violence and intimidation have escalated in the South of Afghanistan according to a United Nations report. Supporters of the Taleban and other anti-government forces have been increasingly targeting civilians and government officials. Lyse Doucet reports from Kabul. Broadcast 04/10/2004

The people of Afghanistan go to the polls in less than a week. Lyse Doucet is travelling around the country, reporting on the final days of campaigning leading up to the vote itself. Her election coverage begins on the road heading north, outside the Afghan capital, Kabul. Broadcast 03/10/2004