Despite Taliban attacks in 15 provinces, millions of Afghans on Thursday went to 7,000 polling stations across the country to choose their president, who is elected for a five-year tenure and could serve a maximum of two terms.

Among the 41 candidates, former Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah and former Financial Minister Ashraf Ghani are main rivals of President Hamid Karzai, who won the 2004 presidential election with 55 percent of the vote.

Karzai hailed the election a success, praising the Afghan people for braving Taliban “bombs and intimidations.” His government said at least 26 people have been killed in the attacks. The vote counting could take about three weeks and the final result is expected to be announced on Sept. 17.

“The members of the Security Council welcome the holding of the presidential and provincial council elections in Afghanistan on Aug. 20, 2009,” the statement said.

“The members of the Council reiterate the importance of these elections as Afghanistan, working together with other members of the international community, continues to make progress towards its goals and congratulate the people of Afghanistan on their participation in these historic elections,” it said.