August 20 Afghan Presidential election polling is in progress. According to preliminary results of 20 August election, acting President of Afghanistan Hamid Karzi is in the lead. His opponent Former Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Abdullah Abdullah leads in northern districts of Kabul.

Public opinion poll reports 45% of respondents (Afghan citizens) to support Karzi and 25% — Abdullah.

Despite the Taliban attacks (over 70 attacks in 15 out of 34 total Afghan provinces), Karzi and Afghan’s West allies hailed the election as “successful”. NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen called the elections “encouraging” and reaching “a success” in terms of security.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon praised the elections and pointed out that “by exercising their constitutional right to vote, the Afghan people have demonstrated again their desire for stability and development in their country.”

Kai Eide, Special Representative for Afghanistan and Head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), declared the election “seems to be working well.”

Another presidential candidate, World Bank employee Ramazan Bashardost, who had 10 percent support in pre-election polls, hailed the election as “comedy.”

According to preliminary data, 50-60% of voters were expected to participate in the election. Official results will be clear on September 2, whereas officially they will be reported on September 17.