Millions of Afghan voters -- including veiled women -- have braved threats of Taliban violence to cram polling stations throughout the ethnically diverse nation. Despite voting irregularities that caused the opposition candidates to demand a new election, monitors have said there is no need to nullify results.

President Hamid Karzai called on all candidates to respect the wishes of the Afghan people, who endured bad weather in places and long lines to vote democratically for the first time in their lives.