A total of 2,545 candidates, including 410 women, will vie for 249 seats in the lower house of the Afghan Parliament on September 18. Although uncertainty and violence continue to plague the campaign and the nation, photojournalist Michael Connolly captures the quiet scenes and faces of Afghanistan beyond the news headlines in this exclusive photo essay for The Diplomat.
Photo Essays
Afghanistan: Facing the Polls
An exclusive photo essay of rare behind-the-scenes images from Afghanistan, leading up to the nation’s pivotal election.