People in Afghanistan voted in key parliamentary elections yesterday amid violence from the Taliban, who had vowed to disrupt the vote.

Six security force members were killed in a Taliban attack in the north, and at least five people were killed in other attacks.

More than 2,500 candidates are vying for 249 seats in the lower house of parliament, or Wolesi Jirga. The poll is seen as a test of credibility for president Hamid Karzai.

There were widespread reports of violence, low turnout and irregularities. In Kabul, some election observers and voters said that the ink used to mark the fingers of voters could be washed off.

It could take weeks before the full picture becomes clear as to whether this vote has been any better than the deeply flawed presidential election this time last year.