A quick tentative roundup on the last several hours of Afghan electioning, decidedly not written from the ground but mostly from Googling and reading Alive in Afghanistan and the #Afghan09 hashtag, is here at the Windy. I’m trying not to overstate shit that I’m not able to observe. Consider it personal growth. I wonder how much value these roundups provide now that Twitter’s around.

Anyway. This video is in circulation, about voter fraud in Kabul.


Translation: Voting in Kabul, in Dari Summary: First man says: the commission intentionally didn’t bring the machines that were used to punch holes in registration cards so instead they were using scissors to cut the cards and this means people can just put another lamination on it and vote again. other voters agree with him, also mention the poor quality of "indelible ink" that can be erased.

Holbrooke warned last week that the media creates the early legitimacy narrative in the elections. I don’t want to be a wanker and tailor what I write to what the administration’s envoy to the region says, but it’s, you know, a good point. It’s not everything; honesty is everything. But I’m going to try to avoid sweeping statements today and also mealy-mouthed ones. Oh, right, and polls were extended but closed half an hour ago.