Afghanistan: election vote count due

Counting of ballots is due to begin for the first parliamentary and local elections held in Afghanistan in more than 30 years.

The voting was marked by what appeared to be a lower turnout than during last year’s presidential election.

But in some rural areas and small towns voting picked up after a slow start.

Six people including a French soldier were killed in attacks by insurgents, but correspondents say the violence had little impact on the turn-out.

Thousands of foreign and Afghan security forces were on high alert after a campaign marred by violence.