This time around, he says he's not even going to vote, let alone for Karzai.
"Now I see his weak corrupt government gave a chance for the Taliban to be strong," Khan said. "I am not going to vote. Who should I give my vote to? There is too much corruption. None of them are any good."
A good turnout in southern Afghanistan in Thursday's presidential election is crucial for it to be considered legitimate. It's also seen as critical to the victory of Karzai, who is relying on the votes of his fellow ethnic Pashtuns in the area. And a well-attended election would be a boon for President Barack Obama, who is trying to sell a revamped Afghan policy that is likely to see more US troops committed to the fight against the Taliban.
The problem is, nobody is sure how many people in the south will vote at all. Residents are fed up with what they see as corruption and incompetence in Karzai's government, and a growing number are turning toward the Taliban. It is also uncertain how safe it will be to vote, with the Taliban threatening people who try to get to the voting booths.
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