New York, Aug 21 (Xinhua) The UN Security Council has hailed the Afghans for holding elections defying the Taliban violence aimed at deraling the poll process.

In a statement Thursday, British UN Ambassador John Sawers, who holds the rotating Security Council presidency for August, congratulated the people of Afghanistan 'on their participation in these historic elections'.

'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,' the statement said.

It also condemned the Taliban violence, calling them as 'actions of those who sought to deny the voice of the Afghan people by attempting to disrupt the elections'.

Despite Taliban attacks in 15 provinces, millions of Afghans 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.