For Immediate Release
October 6, 2004

Afghans Ready for Election Day
Fact of the Day

Afghanistan is ready for the 10.5 million registered voters to participate in their country's first ever direct presidential election. Election officials have distributed 25,000 ballot boxes, polling kits, and 17.5 million ballots to the 4,900 polling centers nationwide. About 120,000 staff will be employed at these centers. An additional 4 million papers have been distributed to the polling centers in Pakistan and Iran, where refugees and other expatriates will be able to vote. Election authorities will use 110 trucks, two airplanes, four helicopters, and an unknown number of donkeys to transport ballots. These efforts demonstrate the Afghan people's extraordinary desire to choose their president and the international community's dedication to helping them reach this goal.

Source: Afghan Joint Electoral Management Body