Amid bloody violence, technical and organizational hurdles, the already repeatedly postponed Afghanistan election is coming anyhow.

Although experts question whether the election will really bring peace to the war-ravaged nation, it is a chance, and this may be the reason why people risk their lives to vote in the election, or rather, for peace.

How, who and possible results

A total of 18 contesters registered to run for presidency with a five-year term. Among the candidates are sitting President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani and government Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah.

President Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah are pitted against each other once again, five years after the last election ended without a clear result. Ghani took the presidency and Abdullah became chief executive, effectively prime minister, after forming a National Unity government.

To win the presidency after the first round, the leading candidate will need more than half the votes. Otherwise, he will face a run-off with the runner-up while the remaining candidates are forced to drop out.

If there is a second round, it is set to take place within two weeks of the results announcement from the first round. Preliminary results of the presidential elections will be announced on October 19, with the declaration of the final presidential result intended for November 7.

The future of the country, however, is still not clear, no matter how the elections turn out.

Election for peace shadowed by peace talks

The election has become inextricably linked with the peace process. 

The co-founder and President of the Afghanistan Justice Organization, Lailuma Nasiri, believes the result of the talks will largely impact the future path of Afghanistan. As she pointed out, "the current peace negotiation between the U.S. and the Taliban has overshadowed the elections."

The U.S. and Taliban entered peace talks in October last year. Nine rounds of talks have been held, with discussions only gaining little momentum. The two sides have been trying hard to reach an agreement on the four key issues: the Taliban severing ties with al-Qaida and other international terrorist groups, the withdrawal of the U.S. and NATO forces, an intra-Afghan dialogue and a permanent ceasefire.

As the marathon talks continue on and off, U.S. President Donald Trump abruptly canceled secret talks with the Taliban at his Camp David retreat that were planned for September 8 and has since said the talks are "dead."

As for the Afghan government, the elections may be an opportunity to get back in the game and shape the future direction of the peace process.

In an interview with CGTN, Abdullah explained his insistence on holding the election on time despite suspended negotiation with the Taliban, saying that "it is an issue of legitimacy of the system."

"There has to be a transition, a political transition through elections otherwise somebody with the appetite of our president Ghani, our current president, he can continue with another five years," the chief executive said.

Speaking of the Taliban's threat to attack polling stations, Abdullah hoped this would not stop people from casting votes.

"My message to the Taliban would be: The people of Afghanistan have chosen the democratic process, one person one vote. To stop that will not succeed, nevertheless it will have an impact, a negative impact on the situation."

(With input form agencies)