The counting of ballots in the Afghan legislative election got under way today.
An EU election observer said the polls had been generally well administered and peaceful and marked 'a significant step forward for Afghan democratic development'.
In a video aired on the Arab television channel Al Jazeera, Osama bin Laden's deputy, Ayman al-Zawahri, denounced the polls, saying they were not free and took place under US occupation.
Early estimates put voter turnout at around 50%, or six million voters. Final results are expected next month.
US President George W Bush said the election was a success and he praised those who voted despite the threat of Taliban violence.
