Mike Pence congratulates Ghani on successful Afghan parliamentary polls 

US Vice President Mike Pence has congratulated Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on the successful parliamentary elections in his country where a large number of people came out to vote despite threat by the Taliban, the White House said.

"He congratulated the Afghan people on the steady advance of democracy following the parliamentary elections this past weekend,' the White House said Monday in a readout of the call.

Pence commended the Afghan election officials and military for leading and managing the electoral process, and the US and international forces for their support to the Afghan government, it said.

Despite efforts by the Taliban to intimidate the Afghan people, millions of people stepped forward to make their voice heard by voting, the White House said.