An Afghan man casts his ballot at a polling station in Lash Kar Gah, Helmand Province, Sept. 18, 2005. Polling stations were busy, but orderly, across the city. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Jacob Caldwell
Afghan men wait in line at a polling station in the Parwan Province to vote in the country's first parliamentary elections in more than 30 years, Sept. 18, 2005. The people where searched prior to entering the polling area to ensure their safety and the safety of the other voters. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Ken Denny
An Afghan election monitor prepares a ballot for a voter in the village of Moraqkhja during Afghanistan's first parliamentary election in more than 30 years, Sept. 18, 2005. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Ken Denny
An Afghan woman casts her ballot at a girl's high school in Lash Kar Gah, Helmand Province, Sept. 18, 2005. In this country of roughly 30 million voting age people, more than 12 million registered voters turned out to cast their ballots at the polls. In the month preceding the elections, nearly 2,800 Afghans vied for 249 seats on their National Assembly, the Wolesi Jirga. More than 3,000 others campaigned for local assemblies in all 34 provinces. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Jacob Caldwell
A voter from the village of Moraqhja proudly displays his finger signifying he has voted in the first parliamentary elections in Afghanistan in more than 30 years, Sept. 18, 2005. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Ken Denny