Afghan’s parliamentary elections were finally held including a day extension because of insecurity and complicated logistical challenges. The elections had been announced since June 22, 2015 but the parliament carried out a citizen non-inclusive ballot to maintain their seats for another five year term.

Afghani elections have almost always been carried out amidst violence and insecurity. According to President Ashraf Ghani, despite all problems with the system, the elections have served as a powerful representation that the people do demand democracy despite the nation’s challenges. In a statement ahead of the voting, the president thanked and acknowledged the expected high voter turnout of Afghani women saying “Their participation is a historic success for Afghanistan’s democracy and it is a great beginning for our new generation. I hope that you participate in the presidential elections in such a large scale.”

PBS NewsHour journalist Hari Sreenivasan reported on the Afghan voting last Saturday in a segment with Jennifer Glasse, a freelance journalist in Kabul who was live on scene and reviewed the circumstances surrounding the elections and the claimed enthusiasm of the Afghani population as the first generation to make a change in its legislative body through elections. The video below lasts about five minutes. Take a look: