A journalists’ account: Afghans voted despite hazards
By Pfc. Mary Simms, CJTF- 76 Public Affairs
The elections in Afghanistan are over and they were a huge success! Security was the main concern before the election. Al-Qaeda and Taliban insurgents were trying to intimidate the people of Afghanistan to keep them from the polls. Anti-coalition militias have carried out suicide bombs and IED attacks in recent days and weeks. The bottom line is -- we stopped attacks time and time again.
It's so amazing how dedicated and enthused the Afghan people are about democracy. In America, if it rains many people won't go to the polls. Afghans defiantly faced the threat of the Taliban and suffered horrible weather to exercise their right to vote. In the Panjao District voters stood there for hours waiting for the polls to open, intent on voting while snow fell heavily.
After seeing what these people are willing to bear, despite how little they have, it amazes me that so many Americans take that right for granted. There was a very real and present danger at the polling sites today, but voters showed up anyway. There was a low level of violence and from a security standpoint it is absolutely incredible that almost all of the enemy's efforts were preempted and ineffectual.
A flight to the town of Gardez was on the schedule for us, but because there was no visibility, we couldn't fly. I was totally devastated at first, because no matter what, I wanted to get out and do a story on the first-ever presidential elections in Afghanistan.
Fortunately, we were able to coordinate a convoy of civilian SUV's to the polling sites. It's not the best method of travel when you know that improvised explosive devices on the road cause most deaths and serious injuries. So, while I was afraid I would get "blown up," I was willing to risk it for this monumental day in history.
I interviewed so many people at the polls today who hope democracy will make their lives better. The hope here is amazing. You meet these people who have literally nothing and yet they still have hope for a better future. I think that's because so much has changed for them during the last three years.
When I arrived at the first polling site I was appalled because I didn't see women anywhere. With 40 percent of the 10 million Afghans registered to vote being women, how could there not be any women at the polls?
I found out the men and women are segregated, so the women were voting at another location. I was disappointed because I wanted to focus my story on how much life in Afghanistan has improved for women and how the opportunity to vote is so empowering.
We were able to arrange to visit the women's voting site, but of the six vehicles full of people, only Maj. Stacy Bathrick, CJTF-76 public affairs officer, and I were allowed to go inside. The only man allowed in with us was the interpreter. He was allowed inside only long enough for me to videotape my interviews.
It was such an amazing experience to go to a polling site completely run by women. Although it is no longer law that represses them, it will take time for the culture to change after years of harsh rule under the mujahadeen and the Taliban.
I interviewed a woman on camera and was astounded at how outspoken she was. She was wearing a burqua that covered her from head to toe, but it didn't matter.
This woman impressed and inspired me. She yelled into the microphone and flung her arms fervently as she answered questions. She was so full of life and opinions and is finally free to express them. The Taliban had burned her house and her life was horrible while they were in power.
She said she had brought both of her 18-year-old daughters with her and her husband was at the male polling site with her boys. She told me that she hated guns and war and wanted peace for her people.
After 23 years of war, the people here are very happy to be moving toward resolving problems through democratic politics. The road ahead is still a long one but today was another huge step in making Afghanistan a safe, free and democratic society.
