Afghan elections: Haseeb

BBC News Online and BBCMundo.com spoke to Afghan voters about their hopes for the country's upcoming presidential elections.

Fridoon: Kabul, Afghanistan "Foreign countries will choose their candidate" Younus: Kabul, Afghanistan "He's got experience... I'll vote for Karzai" Zarmina: Europe "We Afghan people must think wisely this time"

Nishanud: Khost, Afghanistan "There will be problems" Haseeb: New Jersey, USA "I am very optimistic about the outcome" 'Hawa': Kabul, Afghanistan "I see an enthusiasm mixed with fear"

Haseeb

Yes, the people have for long been waiting for a chance to go to the polls and express their choice.

There was an unawareness of the elections, even some who were candidates initially had no idea of basic electoral process.

The enthusiasm is there. Everyone wants to go to polls and use the opportunity they have been offered.

But I doubt the accuracy of the numbers. I have certain reasons to believe that the numbers are much lower then what the Joint Electoral Management Body is announcing.

I met people who had registered six times and I kept meeting people who had two or three registration cards.

I also noticed youth under 18 and some even as young as 14 register.

Many would argue that Afghanistan still is not ready for elections.

This does make sense, but a further delay of the presidential vote would be much more negative then a vote now.

Security is an issue, though not that big an issue as it was predicted to be before the voter registration process started.

In a country like Afghanistan, guns rule. The private armies of the warlords have control of certain regions and have all the violent means to use in a bid to stop the process from succeeding.

After meeting some of the candidates and following their campaigns I have found almost all of them have no idea what they are doing and almost all of them believe they stand no chance of winning .

Some are using the presidential campaigns to guarantee themselves an easy entry to the parliament.

Some are running to show Karzai their power and the public support from their ethnic groups.

Then, they will use that support and power as a bargaining tool for a cabinet seat or inclusion in the next administration.

Karzai has portrayed a good national image.

He is, no doubt, going to be the only candidate to secure the majority of votes from ethnic groups different to that which he comes from (Pashtun).

His own charisma, moderate beliefs, diplomatic skills and the fact he is the favourite guy of the international community and has a clean background, will earn him votes from the other two main ethnic groups in Afghanistan, the Tajiks and the Hazaras.

In general I am very optimistic about the outcome of these elections.

But I worry - imagine if, when the election finishes, one of the candidates wins and the world says "Afghanistan is now a democracy" and then leaves Afghanistan alone again.

This would be the worst nightmare for the country.

If it happens, it will undermine all the achievements of the international community and the Afghans during the past three years.

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Send us your comments on Haseeb's views using the form below.

In my lifetime it's the first time ever that I am hearing the word elections in our homeland, I really don't understand some of our fellow Afghans who undermine the fact that we as people for the first time have got the opportunity to show the world that we are not just war hungry, destruction machines to our own land. I thank we should just put all our differences aside and make this elections a reality.
Rafiq, US

I know that the first election will not be free of problems, such as intimidation and violence. The votes will be divided along ethnic and language lines rather than qualifications of the candidates. However, I hope that it is the foundation of future free and fair elections where Afghans can peacefully determine their own future.
Ghalib, Chicago, USA

Dear Afghan people, I am fasting and praying that the elections will go smoothly and that the world can see freedom sweeping through the region. I admire your courage to stand and vote, even with the threat of violence. May you be safe and may your country be on a great road to peace and freedom.
Danny Jaco, Huntington Beach, CA