Critical election in Afghanistan beset by chaos, violence at polls

KABUL — Afghanistan’s first parliamentary elections in eight years suffered from violence and confusion Saturday, with a multitude of attacks by militants killing at least 36 people, key election workers failing to show up and many polling stations staying open hours later than scheduled to handle long lines of voters. Read more: Afghanistan violence raises uncertainty over elections, Kandahar vote delayed

How voting day was marred

At least 18 people were killed and 67 injured in blasts close to polling stations in several areas of the capital, Kabul. Nearly 170 people -- civilians and security forces -- were killed or wounded in election-related violence, official figures showed, and there are fears of more bloodshed when voting resumes Sunday in 401 polling centres. Ahead of the elections, both the local so-called Islamic State affiliate and the Taliban threatened violence during elections, warning people to stay away from the polls. Meanwhile, Aziz Ibrahimi, deputy spokesman for the Independent Election Commission, admitted to DW that there had been some irregularities: "The commission has decided to extend elections in centers which did not start work on time.
After a delay of three years, voters in Afghanistan head to the polls to elect members of the nation's parliament. The election is marred by violence and suicide attacks which leave over 170 dead or wounded nationwide.