Election Day in Afghanistan
Ink-stained fingers of millions of Afghans marked this country's second ever Presidential vote as CBS News Correspondent Mandy Clark reports.
But across the country and particularly in the hostile south - fear was a factor.
There were no major Taliban assaults. But sporadic rocket and bomb attacks still claimed the lives of more than 20 civilians.
Rings of steel surrounded every major city, but it wasn't enough to convince voters in many parts of the country that it was worth the risk. In Kandahar turn out was 40 percent lower than the last election.
Photo essay: Election Day in Afghanistan
Despite tight security in Kabul, voter turn out was also low. Whether fear of Taliban attacks or simply apathy, many Afghans clearly decided not to vote.
President Hamid Karzai was among the first to vote, saying, "No violence. Vote no violence."
Karzai's main rival Abdullah Abdullah, running on a platform of change and anti-corruption has surged in popularity and could force a run off election. He praised those who defied Taliban threats, "people have shown their courage and resilience and they are participating."
On top of the threat of violence, women faced an even greater challenge. The Election Commission was short 20,000 female officials to run polling stations for women. But some refused to be afraid.
The symbol of Afghanistan's democracy - indelible ink, used to prevent repeat voting, wasn't too indelible after all. But Afghans are hopeful that their fragile democracy won't be so easily wiped away.