Voting yesterday in Afghanistan, despite the threats and bombings of the Taliban, was more like a national holiday than like a national crisis.
Optimistic day at polls.
Everyone is so happy. It's like we are waiting for Christmas to come," said Abdullah Shahood, a 22-year-old poll observer for candidate Abdul Razziq. "Everyone is optimistic."
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At the polling station, the women pulled off their burqas. Most emerged with smiling, lively unlined faces. Those faces had been sheltered for years from the harsh Afghan sun.