KANDAHAR CITY, Afghanistan, Oct. 22, 2004 — With the eyes of the world focused on Afghanistan, the new democracy conducted its first presidential election Oct. 9.

While Afghans cast their ballots, Coalition forces in Kandahar province worked behind the scenes to ensure the historic event occured without violence and voters remained safe.

It's hardly unusual for the streets of Kandahar city to be filled with the sights and sounds of everyday city traffic. However, on election day the city streets possessed an unusual calmness as residents turned out in large numbers to cast their vote for the country's president - for the first time ever.

Coalition forces throughout the country prepared for the elections for several months working to prevent any violent attacks or incidents from occurring.

Despite their absence from the actual polling sites, Coalition forces spent the day patrolling the city, setting up vehicle checkpoints, and working with the Afghan National Army to ensure overall safety in the area.

These missions are nothing new to the soldiers.

"It's very important for us to be involved, because we want to make it obvious to the whole world that we're just here as a show of force to ensure that these people have the right to vote. We want them to be allowed that opportunity," said 1st Sgt. Bruce Hall, Headquarters and Headquarters Service Battery, 3rd Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment.

The unit's soldiers set up an operations center in Kandahar city to provide immediate support for Kandahar province, while soldiers from the Romanian Army provided additional security and escort vehicles.

"This is important for this country of Afghanistan," said Romanian Army 1st Lt. Bacana Doru, 281st Infantry Battalion, who was in charge of a security patrol during the election. "The election and all of the things that are going on here are going to improve their life."

Members of the Afghan National Army also conducted their own security patrols throughout the city and worked alongside local police and security forces to secure polling sites.

"It's a great day for us in Afghanistan," said Mohammad Husam, Afghan National Army soldier. "This is bringing inner peace and security. There is much that I can do for Afghanistan and I want to serve Afghanistan, because it is our future. It is a new day."

Once the polls closed, Coalition forces throughout the country began providing security for election ballots being flown to Kabul for counting.

"When we see both men and women getting out to the voting poles it makes us feel as American soldiers - as part of the Coalition forces - that we are actually doing our job and making a difference out here for the people," said Hall. "We can never take for granted the freedom that we have here in America."