Numbed by war, generations of Afghans seek solace in voting

Omara Khan Masoudi, a former director of the National Museum, witnessed the tumultuous period that led to the Soviet occupation, followed by civil war, the Taliban regime and then the still-continuing U.S.-backed war against the insurgents.

Masoudi, 71, achieved success as a custodian of Afghanistan's historical relics but he feels anguish just before a presidential election. Leaders have failed to be guardians and defenders of the national interest, he said.

"An election is one of the main exercise of a democratic system but it has lost its meaning in Afghanistan," Masoudi said at his residence.

Decades of war destroyed people's lives and holding elections despite the violence is a reminder of Afghans' ability to withstand adversity, Masoudi said.

"To risk one's life for a vote, proves a commitment towards democracy," said Masoudi, who is now a cultural consultant to UNESCO for Afghanistan.

"I lost hope in the election process when I learnt that it can be easily rigged by politicians. It becomes a wasted effort, but I have to vote to protect my rights," Masoudi said.

First-time voter, Samiullah Mehri, 21, a cricketer based in Kabul who has lived through the U.S.-led war against the Taliban, said he was very excited to take part.

Cricket was first adopted by Afghans in the refugee camps of cricket-loving Pakistan, to where more than three million had fled the Soviet invasion and civil war in the 1980s and 1990s. It has since made huge strides in the country, particularly among ethnic Pashtuns in the eastern border provinces.

The Taliban banned games such as cricket and football in the early years of their austere rule because they believed they kept men away from prayers, but they later became more tolerant of cricket.

From there, despite at least two attacks in the past few years on cricket matches claimed by the ultra-radical Islamic State group, the game now rivals football for popularity in a country that has long been cut off from the international sport.

"I am a bit afraid of the security situation, especially after the Taliban warned people to not take part in the election, but I can't wait to cast my vote," Mehri said.