“In this very confused situation, with the lack of security in this country, if we are going to the general election, that will not be a legitimate general election, that will not elect a legitimate president for the country,” warned Mujahid.

The war has made a select few wealthy, but for most Afghans it has taken a heavy toll.

“Every day we hear about someone being killed, people are fleeing their villages to the cities. People can not control the Taliban. Until the government and the Taliban talk, we will never have peace,” said Noor Agha, a resident of Puli Artan, in Kabul.

Afghanistan is a country awash with guns, and former military and intelligence officer Jawed Kohistani notes that there are several armed groups operating in the country.

"You can not please them all. You can satisfy one group. What about the others? The others will continue to fight," pointed out Kohistani.

The greatest worry is about what happens after the elections, and after international forces leave at the end of 2014. Analysts say the Taliban cannot win, but the Afghan state cannot defeat them; the result is still more war.