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Mandy Clark at CBS reports:
"Ink-stained fingers of millions of Afghans marked this country's second ever Presidential vote...
But across the country and particularly in the hostile south - fear was a factor.
There were no major Taliban assaults. But sporadic rocket and bomb attacks still claimed the lives of more than 20 civilians.
Rings of steel surrounded every major city, but it wasn't enough to convince voters in many parts of the country that it was worth the risk. In Kandahar turn out was 40 percent lower than the last election.
Despite tight security in Kabul, voter turn out was also low. Whether fear of Taliban attacks or simply apathy, many Afghans clearly decided not to vote."
Yahoo News reports at least 26 people have been killed.
The Wall Street Journal says both candidates are declaring victory, while President Obama lauds Afghan voters for voting despite violence, but warns of continued threats.
The Dame Truth writes:
"The week has been marked by increased violence throughout Afghanistan and threats by the Taliban to cut off any purple fingers they see. If one can judge by the recent “election” in Iran, Afghanistan’s people have a rough road ahead of them. Recently passed laws forbidding women to work without their husbands’ permission, giving sole custody to fathers and permitting them to starve any wife that disobeys them speak grim volumes of what we can expect from the Karzai administration. There are schools sitting there empty, never used, for fear of retribution by Taliban. Teachers and students alike are afraid to even enter them for fear of being branded as American collaborators.
As our troops labor in 125 degree temperatures, 2% humidity, and a scarcity of helicopters, we at home pray daily for their safety and their safe return. The Afghan people must pull their weight in this fight or go it alone."
While uspatriotgirl tweets "reading about Afghan elections. Glad they went well, hoped for better turnout. Haven't had my Twitter for 2 days and I missed it!"
Lisa Curtis and James Phillips at the Heritage Foundation write:
"The holding of the election is a blow to the Taliban, since it demonstrates that Afghans support the democratic process and not the Taliban's version of harsh Islamist rule. But unless the new Afghan government reins in corruption and establishes effective, inclusive governance throughout the nation, the Taliban will quickly re-gain the initiative. The U.S. and coalition forces must assist the new Afghan government in ousting the Taliban from its strongholds, especially in the south, while ultimately relying on Afghan authorities to lead the rebuilding of their nation."
The International Republican Institute, a democracy-building group based in Washington, said that the election "has so far been credible."
Contributing Editor Erin Kotecki Vest also blogs at Queen of Spain blog