Despite threats by Taliban insurgents, millions of Afghans went to the polls today to cast theirs ballots in the country's second presidential election.

President Hamid Karzai, widely tipped to win a second term in office, praised the Afghan people who "dared rockets, bombs and intimidation and came out to vote".Even though there were 73 attacks across the country and at least 26 deaths, President Karzai said it was "a day full of pride and glory". The head of the UN mission in Kabul said that despite attacks, the overall security situation was better than expected.

Election officials say it will be several days before they know how many of the 17-million strong electorate cast a ballot. Independent observers say turnout was low but the Interior Ministry say the government is satisfied with turnout levels.

Observers say turnout in the north was reasonable but in areas with a strong Taliban presence, turnout was extremely low. The government says it hopes around 50 percent of the electorate went to the polls.