Women turn out in force In the Afghan province of Herat to vote in Saturday's presidential election.

It's a landmark for Afghanistan - the first democratic transition of power since the fall of the Taliban 13 years ago.

Herat's been a battleground for women's rights and these voters weren't being deterred by Taliban threats to disrupt the polls.

(SOUNDBITE) RAHILA JAN, HERAT RESIDENT, SAYING:

"As an Afghan woman I've come here to cast my vote and choose my future. I'm not scared of any threat. I ask all Afghan women to come and vote."

(SOUNDBITE) BEBI MASOOD, HERAT RESIDENT, SAYING:

"I'm participating in the vote because it's my right and I urge all women around the country cast their votes."

In Kandahar, cradle of the Taliban insurgency, voting was also underway with no word of violence.

The Taliban says the vote is a U.S.-backed sham and had threatened bombings and assassinations to disrupt it.

They also said civilians who took