Polling centers in Afghanistan's presidential election closed on Saturday amid accusations that voting was flawed and turnout was very thin, heightening fears that an unclear result could drive the country into further chaos. 

Preliminary results are not expected before October 17 and final results not until November 7. If no candidate gets 51 percent of the vote, a second round will be held between the two leading candidates. 

Taliban fighters attacked several polling stations across the country to try to derail the process but intense security measures prevented large-scale violence. 

Earlier, the two top contenders for the presidency – incumbent President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah – cast their votes in the long-delayed election of the war-torn nation.

"Peace is the first demand of our nation and this election will allow and give us the legitimacy to bring peace to this nation," Ghani said, urging voters to "prevent fraud and ensure transparency" in the election. 

Abdullah condemned the Taliban forces for threatening people taking part in the vote, stressing that "the casualties of innocent civilians" will not benefit them. 

At least 17 people were wounded when a bomb exploded outside a polling station in the southern city of Kandahar hours after the polls opened, a hospital official said.

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When Afghanistan holds presidential election…

The 70-year-old Ghani and Abdullah, 59, have ruled through a fractured power-sharing arrangement since 2014. 

The Taliban hold more territory now than at any time since 2001 when a U.S.-led invasion overthrew their regime. 

In the run-up to the election, more than 170 civilians were killed and more than 300 wounded in attacks involving the Taliban. 

The group had threatened violence to sow discord during the election. "Stay away from polling stations on election day," the Taliban warned before the vote. 

(With input from agencies) 

(Cover: An Independent Election Commission official (L) scans a finger of Afghan President and candidate Ashraf Ghani (R) with a biometric device at a polling station in Kabul, Afghanistan, September 28, 2019. /VCG Photo)