Afghans are heading back to the polls today for a second round of voting to elect a successor to President Hamid Karzai.
The leading candidates - former foreign minister Abdullah Abdullah and ex-World Bank economist Ashraf Ghani - both failed to secure a 50% majority needed to win outright during polls in April.
The process has been mired by accusations of fraud by both candidates and many fear a close outcome will make it less likely the loser will accept defeat, possibly dragging Afghanistan into a protracted stand-off over the vote.
Twelve million eligible voters started casting ballots in the early hours of this morning amid tight security at more than 6,000 polling stations.
The heightened security came after the Taliban issued a new statement warning voters to stay away from the polls, condemning the vote as a US-sponsored charade.
Defence Ministry spokesman General Zahir Azimi warned: "This time the Taliban will try to compensate for what they couldn't achieve in the first round of the election."
Security is tight at polling stations across the country The high turnout of nearly 60% in the first round was a major defeat for the Taliban.
Observers expect fewer than five million voters this time, partly because of concern about security.
Mr Abdullah and Mr Ghani have both promised to improve ties with the West, combat corruption and guide the nation with a steadier hand than Mr Karzai.
With the insurgency showing no signs of weakening as foreign combat troops prepare to withdraw at the end of the year, the winner will have the task of bolstering Afghanistan's security forces while weighing the possibility of a negotiated peace with the militants.
And he will have to find a way to improve the nation's infrastructure at a time when international aid for Afghanistan is drying up.
Shukria Barakzai, a female member of parliament, said: "The country is in a crisis ... Only a strong leader can rescue it.
"Everyone - young, old, rich and poor - came out in unpleasant weather, despite threats, to vote in April and we hope it will be the same this time. This is Afghanistan's spirit."
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