'At least now most people know how important their vote is, and if we want our children to live without fear and have a prosperous future we have to go out and vote,' said Amer.

Zakia, a woman who participated in the mock voting held in Gurwana village in Bamiyan province, said: 'We are participating in the elections in the hopes of changing our lives and of our children.'

Officials are also working with clerics to raise their awareness and understanding about the important role they could play in urging people to vote, said the UNDP release.

Youth icons like Olympic taekwondo bronze medallist Rohullah Nikpa have been urging the youth to come out and vote in TV advertisements put out by the election commission.

In 2005 the presidential election was conducted under the guidance of the international community. This time, the election commission of Afghanistan is the sole authority for conducting and supervising the elections.