We consider the turnout this year satisfactory. This number could change as the rest of our reports come in.

Dependent on the number of complaints we do hope that we can have a final certified result for all 34 provinces by the 22nd of October.

This count is then subject to a short complaints period and these complaints must be adjudicated,

I do not find the irregularities alarming, but it should give us concern, … There will be tough action taken.

In Bosnia in 2002 there were 55 percent, in the parliamentary elections in Colombia 42 percent, India 59 percent, Switzerland 42 percent.

We did see some procedural irregularities but nothing that I consider systemic and which would have influenced the overall conduct of the election. This was a peaceful and good election.

I have been relieved at the [low] level of problems we have had today.

Preliminary estimate indicate that voter turnout could be a little over 50 per cent.

I do not believe these irregularities in any way have affected the overall elections, but some of them have surely affected them locally.

[Turnout rose as the day wore on, said Peter Erben, head of the U.N.-Afghan Joint Electoral Management Board.] The voting started relatively slowly but after the morning it has seriously picked up all over Afghanistan,...

I believe a high number of Afghans have turned out to vote.

This is probably the largest amount of popular support I’ve seen for the idea of establishing a parliament.

If compared with other, similar, post-conflict elections, I think that the level of irregularities that we are currently reviewing is extremely reasonable.

The morning started relatively slowly. But after the morning, it has seriously picked up all over Afghanistan.

Afghanistan should be satisfied with the turnout in yesterday’s election.