Ben Golnik knows a thing or two about elections: He was the Midwest Director for John McCain's 2008 presidential election and helped monitor the U.S. Senate recount between Al Franken and Norm Coleman. But his most recent assignment for the St. Paul native has likely been the most intriguing.

Golnik recently returned from Afghanistan after observing the country's second-ever presidential election between President Hamid Karzai and top challenger Abdullah Abdullah.

He says he has hope that democracy is taking hold in that Middle Eastern country after witnessing it first-hand as an election observer for the International Republican Institute.

"We were not to interfere with the process. We were there to talk with election officials, to watch the process. It was really very similar to the recount that happened here, Franken-Coleman, which I was a part of," he explained.

Golnik, who has extensive international teaching experience in Russia and Angola, observed the elections in a relatively safe part of Afghanistan in the far northern part of the country.

But he still wore a flak jacket under his shirt at all times and traveled in heavily armored vehicles because it's hard to know the full reach of the Taliban.

"There were some reports the Taliban would cut off the fingers of anyone who voted. You know when you vote in Afghanistan, you have voting cards that get punched. In addition, the index finger on your right hand gets dipped in purple, indelible ink," he said.

Despite threats the terrorist group made on voters, Golnik was impressed by the turnout.

As for the results, Karzai and Abdullah are virtually tied with 10 percent of the vote counted.