Millions defy Taliban threats as Afghans cast ballots

AFGHANS chose a legislature for the first time in decades yesterday, embracing their newly recovered democratic rights and braving threats of Taliban attacks to cast votes in schools, tents and mosques.

Reports of violence came in from around Afghanistan as it sought to claw its way back from more than a quarter-century of conflict, but there were no signs of the spectacular attack feared from Taliban militants.

Violence in the days leading up to the vote left 22 dead, including a French commando whose vehicle struck a mine. Elsewhere, three militants and two policemen died and two US troops were wounded.