Inhabitants of the 10 troubled districts complained they were unable to exercise their democratic right to vote to elect a new president for the next five years and provincial council members.

Speaking to Pajhwok Afghan News around noon, several voters confirmed the people of Gilan, Aab-i-Band, Qarabagh, Giro, Zana Khan, Rashidan, Khogyani, Nawa, Andar and Waghaz districts were yet to venture out of homes.

At 11am Gilan dweller Muhammad Naeem said two missiles were fired at the district headquarters. "Polling centres are in the district headquarters. With all roads blocked, no one has gone there so far."

Syed Ahmed from Qarabagh also spoke of missiles that landed in the district but caused no casualties. A handful of people who came to a polling centre at Sultan Mehmud High School were refused entry by police, fearing militant assaults.

A parliamentarian from Ghazni told journalists the Taliban had mined roads and shut bazaars in the 10 districts. Wolesi Jirga (Lower House of Parliament) member Jabbar Khan Shilgarai said attacks had also happened in the towns, where polling could not take place.

Of the eight missiles fired at Ghazni City this morning, two fell in front of a polling centre at Syed Ahmed Makki School. Two children were slightly injured in the missile strike.

Only few women were seen at the centre set for female voters until 9am, according to a resident who wished not to be named. Journalists did try to speak to the provincial authorities and Independent Election Commission (IEC) officials, but in vain.

In the provincial capital, a small number of people visited the centres. But one voter named Ahmed Shah said since there was no security problem in Ghazni City, residents confidently went to the polling areas.

At Shamsul Arifeen School, a young man awaiting his turn to vote said he wanted the new president to focus on bringing peace and stability to the country. Ehsanullah (21) added he would vote for someone capable of dealing with the security challenge.

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