Erben called the Sunday election a success.

Last October's presidential election turnout was estimated at 70 per cent.

The counting of the ballots is to begin on Tuesday. The final results are to be announced on October 22.

Lower turnout during parliamentary election might have been caused by the disappointment and frustration many Afghans feel. Amir, a 22-year –old student in Kabul told RFE/RL: "In my opinion, the expectations that people had from their president during the presidential elections, well, their demands [were not fulfilled]. And it led to frustration. That's the feeling I get. And this frustration has made people have a different [reaction] to these elections."

In the similar vein, Asadullah, a 40-year-old driver from the Laghman district in Kabul speaking today to RFE/RL said: "I participated [in the elections] yesterday and gave my vote to [candidates] that I approve of. But [the problem is that] in Afghanistan there are not even two good candidates to vote for. Or are there?"

As regards the security during the polling day, the Taliban militia, overthrown in late 2001 for refusing to hand over Osama bin Laden after the September 11 attacks on the United States, failed to disrupt the vote.