KABUL- On the eve of Afghanistan’s second parliamentary election, security around the country is tight, as insurgents vow to derail the vote.

At least 20 people have been killed in election related violence, including several candidates, in the run-up to the ballot. Today, the Taliban kidnapped 19 Afghans, including one candidate.

The election is a major test of the new US strategy in Afghanistan, which places an emphasis on protecting Afghans and strengthening Afghan government institutions.

Tomorrow’s vote will show just how far the Afghan Security forces have advanced during the past year, and if the government led by Afghan President Hamid Karzai is making any progress against internal corruption.

“This is probably one of the worst places and the worst times to have an election anywhere in the world. We have to put it into perspective,” said Staffan de Mistura, the top U.N. envoy to Afghanistan.

Following last year’s corrupt presidential election, Western officials have routinely lowered expectations.

“Afghanistan is not Switzerland,” said one Western official, who asked to remain anonymous. “What matters is that the Afghans believe this is a credible election. And many Afghans still remember that the government in 1993 collapsed as katyusah rockets landed in Kabul.”

Despite a very low bar for success, international watchdog groups say the vote has been well organized and fraud should be significantly reduced, at least in comparison to last year.

“I think in terms of preparation. We have already seen improvements,” said Jed Ober, of Democracy International, an independent election observation group.

With more than 2,500 candidates running for just 249 parliamentary seats, accusations of fraud and ballot stuffing are expected. But with the focus on 249 races, Western officials expect this election will look much cleaner and more transparent than last year presidential election.

Still, with the Taliban vowing to disrupt the election, fraud at least until the vote is finished, is a secondary concern.