Afghans have one day left to make up their minds about who to vote for as their country's first elected president amid threats of violent reprisals by Taliban militants against those voting.
A rocket exploded in the air above the US military compound in the capital, Kabul, before dawn today, causing no damage.
President Hamid Karzai vowed yesterday that the historic presidential election would be held successfully and reflects the wishes of his 28 million people.
"How long can we wait for the guns to go before we have elections?" Mr Karzai said in a BBC interview. "No election in the world is free of tension. Afghanistan is in a more serious situation because we are emerging out of war."
US-backed Mr Karzai, from the majority Pashtun ethnic group that has traditionally ruled Afghanistan, is the favourite to win. Victory would legitimise his rule and mark a turning point for a country shattered by more than a quarter-century of war.
Two of the 18 candidates in the fray have decided to withdraw in Mr Karzai's favour. One was not considered to be very popular but the other, Sayed Ishaq Gailani, is from one of the country's best-known families.
Mr Karzai has always been the favourite to win, but the move by Mr Gailani, a fellow ethnic Pashtun, could help him win the required 51 per cent of the vote he needs to avoid a November run-off.
He told the BBC that he was aware guns and intimidation would play a role but should not be allowed to derail the poll.
Taliban threats to attack anyone taking part in the vote have not stopped more than 10.5 million Afghans from registering to elect directly their president for the first time.
Women make up more than 40 per cent of those who have registered, organisers say. An additional 1.3 million refugees in Pakistan and Iran are also eligible to participate.