For a pretty good analysis of the imminent Afghan parliamentary election, might I suggest Colonel Clayton Perce who provided support during the 2009 presidential election. He runs down the good, bad, and ugly. Basically:

• The good: Afghans will vote, which is significant in a country like Afghanistan.
• The bad: There will be corruption. Fake registration cards go for about 23 cents per piece.
• The ugly: Expect blood. Terrorist elements will do everything possible to disrupt the election.

That’s a summary, and a pretty crappy one at that. You should really check out his whole posting. We’re talking thousands of candidates, remote polling stations, and paper ballots. So obviously there’s no expectation of fast results and on-the-hour projections. Still, should be an interesting day.

Update: Polls have been open for two hours and we already have rocket attacks. Meanwhile, Taliban militants kidnapped multiple candidates and 18 campaigners in the 24 hours leading up to the vote. Three candidates have been killed and insurgents promise more attacks on polling stations.

This goes to show how full of crap people are when they say these terrorists don’t hate democracy and freedom but rather the fact we’re present in the Middle East. If that’s the case, why are they so dead-set against their fellow countrymen voting in a free Afghan-held election? Why do they seek to destroy attempts at freedom and democracy?