Will Afghan elections be successful?

Voting has ended for Afghanistan's first parliamentary and local elections in more than 30 years.

Security forces were on high alert after an election campaign in which more than 1,000 people, including seven election candidates, have been killed.

Reports from Kandahar in the south of Afghanistan said that women had been voting in large numbers.

What do these elections mean for Afghanistan? Are you an Afghan who voted in these elections? What are the most important issues for you?

This debate is now closed. Read a selection of your comments below.

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The following comments reflect the range of views received.

Once we have a structure then things will be getting better slowly Sharif Ahmadzai, London, England

I strongly think that it is a good and happy day for all Afghans. Things will never be 100% perfect but for Afghanistan's sake these are better days than the last 30 bloody years. We will get there slowly and I promise it will be better next time, once we have a structure then things will be getting better slowly. I must say that the only country which will be very upset about this progress is Pakistan.
Sharif Ahmadzai, London, England

The main reasons for this low turnout are the lack of security and fear of the Taliban and Al-Qaeda insurgents, the disappointment of people with very slow progress in the reconstruction efforts of the country and above all the existence of the rule of gun and the intimidation of the people by the warlords and militia leaders. Despite some publicity in the media there are little sign of real change in the social and economical lives of the masses in the country whereas billions of dollars are being poured into the country by various donors.
Aref Abassi, California, USA

By banning political parties you prevent any real opposition to the American run government. All you get for opposition is a disorganised chaos unable to agree on anything. (A bit like the Conservative Party)
Nathan Hobbs, Luton, UK

Any political achievement is a historical achievement in Afghanistan as we are building our country from scratch. This parliamentary election should be considered as the first political move to eliminate warlordism from Afghanistan.
S Sohaib Fatimi, London

Whatever the turn out number is or the result; it is still a success for Afghan people Nur K, Turkey

I think whatever the turn out number is or the result; it is still a success for Afghan people. They need to be encouraged rather than criticised. Of course it won't be perfect at first try after a generation passed without any education or link to outside world and terrorists will try to stop the processes but they will learn from their mistakes in time. Afghans need to be strong and we all need to support them with positive thoughts, helps and wishes.
Nur K, Turkey

Elections in Afghanistan are a step forward. A county which was war torn for several years will need some time to recover. This is just the recovery time and rapid progress will take time. Above all the perseverance of the Afghan people must be the success or failure of the elections.
Paul Belson, Chennai, India

I am a former Italian diplomat, and now, although retired, am working in Herat. I have lived in Afghanistan for a total of 15 years of my life and I love this country dearly. I have always been an admirer of Mr Simpson, and he wrote what is arguably the most intelligent and informed article about the present situation in Afghanistan. My compliments.
Carlo Ungaro, Herat, Afghanistan

Countries with vested interests will continue with their old games. They don't want a stable Afghanistan.
Ruby Sanyal, New Delhi, India

Afghans are determined. They want peace and democracy. They want to rebuild their countries themselves. As Afghans we are sure this election will be successful. Afghans are taking their first steps on the road to democracy and nation building. This takes time and there are challenges ahead. As a nation Afghans should be united and we request our neighbours not to interfere in our internal affairs or back one of the ethnic groups to kill the others.
Jawad Zeerak, Melbourne, Australia

Once again the West and its media is trying to give reports of a successful and trouble-free election in Afghanistan, however the reality is very different. Most Afghans are in need of homes, work and food to feed themselves than vote in some clumsy election which will have little bearing on their life, but the West will claim that it has bought real democracy and freedom to Afghans. The West might fool its own people, but will not convince the local Afghans.
Ayub Khan, Batley, UK

Thousands of Afghans have seen for the first time in decades that there exists something called democracy and self determination. Afghans might be too weak now but peace and democracy create the conditions for a safe and secure childhood and family that every human cherishes. The last few decades have seen guns, bombs and starvation as super powers (US and USSR) used their strongest militaries to run through this beautiful Himalayan land. Let a thousand flowers bloom now as millions of Afghans might have seen the power of a blue sheet of paper known as the vote.
Sasikanth Manipatruni, Ithaca US

It will take years for Afghanistan to become a fully stable democracy Jason Robinson, Dublin, Ireland

The fact is it will take years for Afghanistan to become a fully stable democracy, so progress is the key for all Afghans. As long as the present democracy can be supported and bolstered bit by bit, eventually Afghans will see the benefits of an open and free society and eventually resistance will dwindle.
Jason Robinson, Dublin, Ireland

The people of Afghanistan determined once again that they want peace, stability and genuine democracy in the country although the number of voters were less than presidential elections because people were disappointed about the warlords and criminals that were running for elections. Generally the elections were successful, peaceful and democratic despite of some cases of fraud in some polling centres. I think the rule of law and good governance are the core issues in Afghanistan but it will be hard to meet these challenges if the warlords succeeded to enter into parliament.
Mohammad, Kabul

I believe this is a huge step for the Afghan people. After 30 years of oppression and fear both men and women have decided enough is enough. This is something that teaches us a lesson: many people standing in lines were risking their lives. However big the security measures were it was still dangerous; but there is no price to the freedom and to the right they now have to help their country move forward and gain stability. Of course it isn't a perfect voting system, and there will probably be flaws and mistakes from which they'll learn but it is the beginning of their development, the beginning of a new life for Afghans and the beginning of a long road ahead of them in which they will have to rebuild everything.
Cristina Orta, Valencia, Venezuela

We definitely do not have sky high hopes out of the parliamentary elections, but we believe that after this setup every important decision made in Afghanistan will be made by Afghans as the candidates will be the representatives of Afghans. We have achieved a lot in the last four years and gradually we will go ahead. We understand that the reconstruction and rehabilitation process will take time and we are committed to work hard and rebuild our Afghanistan.
Bismillah Momand, Kunduz, Afghanistan

Inevitably there are some tough challenges on the way Rohallah Haidari, Jaghori, Ghazni

We Afghans are adjusting to a normal life and a normal election. Inevitably there are some tough challenges on the way, but at least we no more have to cope with pain of fleeing from our country and facing the drama of civil war, when once we were killing our brothers & raping our fellow Afghan sisters. Some of the bad guys could be back in parliament. But if they ever get the vote of anyone in this election, it would surprise me because what they did to us is as clear as sun in clear sky.
Rohallah Haidari, Jaghori, Ghazni

Let me congratulate my fellow Afghans on this historic day. Unfortunately I have not been able to vote, however I do believe these steps of 'modern Afghanistan' are signs towards peace and stability. Inshallah (God willing) soon we will learn how to behave like a democratic nation. Surely warlords are there, but their power is limited.
Jalil Alkozai , London

This is more important than the president's recent election because this is far more representative. I think there needs to be a challenge to the current president but without warlords, extremists, and others who will sadly have a great influence in parliament. The basic issues need to be addressed. Afghanistan has none of its necessities: infrastructure, adequate utilities, education, or health care let alone security.
David Jimenez, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

Of course it will be successful, and the world has America to thank. A democracy is up and running, the terrorists have been marginalized, and the people seem optimistic. As our European friends always seem quick to blame the U.S. for what goes wrong in the world, it would be nice to seem someone give us credit for what is going right in this election.
Edward John, New Jersey, USA

The future Afghan parliament members will be a collection of warlords, criminals, human rights abusers and a handful of technocrats that have recently return from the West. All those suspected of having committed human rights violations and war crimes in the past should have been brought to court and sentenced to jail terms ahead of holding the parliamentary and provincial elections. A parliament with criminal and unprofessional members will not heal any pains but to serve as a headache for the government and people. Those who used to brutally kill the innocent civilians and mercilessly destroyed the country are now running for the parliament and are deemed to win the polls using their military power and money. Taking this bitter reality into consideration, can we hope for a healthy and efficient parliament? Of course not.
Diana Hamidi, London, UK

Of course it will be successful. The general Afghan public is far more determined than a few sporadic violent attacks could deter them. They know pretty well that anything could be better than letting the force getting the upper hand and that they must make these fist shaky steps towards a peaceful future.
Mary McCannon, Budapest, Hungary

A small step that will have giant reverberations. Fear from oppression and from the warlords will take time but once the people realise the yoke of tyranny is almost over they will welcome every effort and embrace positive change with open arms and hearts. Of course they have been indoctrinated for years and they will initially take very tentative steps. President Karzai will have do a balancing-act: he should listen to advice from all quarters, follow democratic values but not follow the Americans blindly. The Americans have good points but countless weaknesses too. The economy, education, poverty and entrenched views will be major stumbling-blocks. But given time and encouragement the Afghans will hopefully realise their potential and build a strong nation from virtually the ashes.
Pancha Chandra, Brussels;Belgium

Democratic elections are one key step for Afghanistan towards stability. With reports that women have been voting in large numbers means that the women who have been oppressed for years have finally been given the chance to voice out their opinion as to whom should represent their interests. But without economic stability and investments, democracy may take a back seat.
Firdaus, Singapore