Millions of Afghans vote in crunch run-off poll --- Afghans are voting in run-off polls that will determine who will succeed President Hamid Karzai. -- The choice is between former Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah and ex-World Bank economist Ashraf Ghani. -- It should be the first time that power in Afghanistan has been democratically transferred. --- Afghans who've lived through all the devastating wars since President Najibullah's Soviet-backed rule are hoping this election will help turn the page on their punishing history. -- It will be the first time in Afghan history that power is transferred peacefully, from one elected leader to another. --- Despite all the disappointments and setbacks since 2001, Afghanistan is now a changed country. -- When Afghans turn out to vote for this crucial second round, it will be a test of their security forces as well as the electoral institutions. --- About 12 million Afghans are eligible to vote. Polls opened at 0700 local time (0330 BST) amid tight security at more than 6,000 polling centres. --- Officials say that their main fear is a close outcome, because that would allow the supporters of whoever loses to reject defeat, possibly throwing the country back into war along ethnic lines. - BBC, http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-27844674