Afghanistan holds first democratic general elections

September 19, 2005 

On Sunday, Afghanistan held its first democratic general elections. They are the first elections held in the country since last year's presidential elections. 
There was voter participation of about 50%, compared with 70% for the previous presidential election. According to Bimillah Bismal, head of the Afghan-UN Joint Electoral Management Body, "The election was held in a peaceful manner…there was also a high level of political awareness and participation amongst the Afghan people." 
Voting proceeded calmly, with little violence at the polling stations, most of which were able to remain open throughout Saturday.
Afghanistan holds first democratic general elections September 19 , 2005 On Sunday , Afghanistan held its first democratic general elections . They are the first elections held in the country since last year 's presidential elections . There was voter participation of about 50 % , compared with 70 % for the previous presidential election . According to Bimillah Bismal , head of the Afghan - UN Joint Electoral Management Body , " The election was held in a peaceful manner … there was also a high level of political awareness and participation amongst the Afghan people . " Voting proceeded calmly , with little violence at the polling stations , most of which were able to remain open throughout Saturday .
Afghanistan
np0
first democratic general elections
np1
Sunday
np2
Afghanistan
np3
its first democratic general elections
np4
They
np5
the first elections
np6
the country
np7
last year's presidential elections
np8
voter participation
np9
about 50%
np10
70%
np11
the previous presidential election
np12
Bimillah Bismal
np13
head
np14
the Afghan-UN Joint Electoral Management Body
np15
The election
np16
a peaceful manner
np17
a high level
np18
political awareness
np19
participation
np20
the Afghan people
np21
Voting
np22
little violence
np23
the polling stations
np24
Saturday
np25