Kabul, Jumada II 3, 1435, Apr 3, 2014, SPA -- Afghan President Hamid Karzai Thursday asked his country's citizens to take part in the upcoming presidential election, saying "the future of the country depends on your votes." "Elect your next president and the members of the provincial councils freely," Karzai said during a televised address to the nation, dpa reported. Afghanistan is holding the historic presidential polls on Saturday, which marks the country's first democratic transition of power from one ruler to another. It will also hold the election for provincial councils in the country's 34 provinces. "Men and women from all over the country should participate in the election," Karzai said, adding that election day was "a decisive day for the country." He said the participation of the public in the campaign rallies for candidates represented their belief in the political system. "The participation by people in the election ... was a strong response to those who thought that they could disrupt our determination through the use of violence," he said. Afghanistan has seen an uptick in violence since the campaign started, but the incidents have apparently not discouraged voter resolve to participate in the elections. Hundreds of thousands of people took part in rallies led by various candidates across the country. The campaign ended on Wednesday. More than 12 million voters are set to vote in 6,400 polling centers across the country. Karzai, who is in his last days in power, asked the candidates to "accept the results of the elections out of national interest." He also asked government officials to remain neutral, urging domestic and foreign observers to monitor the elections "impartially. -- SPA 21:12 LOCAL TIME 18:12 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/1216997