Vote counting starts in Afghan elections, marred by violence

Vote counting has started in Afghanistan following chaotic parliamentary elections marred by violence, technical glitches and unprecedented delays.

Despite attacks that killed 50, including many children, roughly 4 million Afghans out of 8.8 registered voters cast their ballots over the two-day voting.

In southern Kandahar province, voting is to take place next Saturday, after polls there were postponed for a week following an attack that killed two senior Afghan officials, including the powerful provincial police chief, Gen Abdul Raziq.

Unofficial election results are not expected before mid-November and official results sometime in December.

In other developments, Afghan forces raided a village in eastern Nangarhar province on Monday, saying seven insurgents were killed.

Locals said five civilians died.

The governor, Hayatullah Hayat, promised an investigation.