(20 Aug 2007) HEADLINE: Low turnout as violence mars Afghan election
CAPTION: Taliban threats scared voters and dampened turnout in the militant south Thursday as Afghans voted for president for the second time ever. (Aug. 20)
[Notes:ANCHOR VOICE]
NB. THIS IS A VOICEOVER TRANSCRIPT, NOT A FULL SHOT LIST.
[Notes:APTN video, poll closing]
It's all over but the counting in Afghanistan...
[Notes:ballots being dumped out.]
And that will probably go quicker than expected as fewer people turned up at the polls for the country's presidential election.
[Notes:attack scene AP video]
Recent violence and fears of more attacks kept many voters away especially in the southern part of the country where the Taliban's influence is greatest.
SOT Kai Eide, UN Special Representative for Afghanistan
A country in conflict, weak infrastructure, weak institutions, remote inaccessible areas. To organise an election in such a situation is a tremendous challenge that I have never seen before in my life.
The election is seen to come down to current president Hamid Karzai and former Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah.
Both men had kind words for those who did vote, no matter who they picked in the end.
SOT Hamid Karzai, Afghan President:
"Rockets, bombs, and intimidation, and came out to vote. We'll see what the turnout was, but they came out and voted. That's great, that's great."
SOT Abdullah Abdullah, Presidential candidate
I have congratulated the people of Afghanistan for their courage, for their determination and hopefully this will lead for a change in the circumstances."
Those same voters even got some praise from the White House.
SOT Robert Gibbs White House Press Secretary
I think it's heartening any time you see an exercise in democracy but particularly when it's done in the face of the type of horrific threat we know existed.
One election official says he thinks 40 to 50 percent of registered voters actually went to the polls.
That's compared to 70 percent back in 2004.
Results aren't expected for several days and there'll be a runoff if no one gets more than 50 percent.
APTN STORY NUMBER: 616812
SHOTLIST
Kabul
1. Wide of policeman officially closing polling station, zoom in to door handle
2. Wide interior shot of polling station, election officials unsealing ballot boxes
3. Close of box being unsealed, zoom out to wide
4. Officials seated
5. Wide of ballot box being emptied
6. Various of ballots being counted
7. Wide of news briefing
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Kai Eide, UN Special Representative for Afghanistan
"I have underlined over and over again the complexity of organising elections in this country in so many ways. A country in conflict, weak infrastructure, weak institutions, remote inaccessible areas. To organise an election in such a situation is a tremendous challenge that I have never seen before in my life, and I am now a grown up person. What is the sense that fills me most today, when this election day is over, it is profound respect for the Afghan people. For those who have organised the elections, and for all those who have turned out, determined to take part in shaping the future of this country."
9. Eide leaving
PLEASE NOTE - AP TELEVISION WAS EMBEDDED WITH US MILITARY AND SUBJECT TO US MILITARY REPORTING RESTRICTIONS
Dahaneh town, Helmand Province
10. Wide of election officials and male voters and polling station
11. Close of two voters preparing to vote
12. Official dipping voter's finger in indelible ink
13. Voter choosing candidate on form
15. Close of voter ticking candidate of choice
15. Voter putting his ballot in box
Kandahar
Kandahar
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