Electoral posters of Afghan presidential candidates at a printing press in Peshawar. PHOTO: AFP
KABUL: Despite Taliban threats, Afghans will line up to vote across the war-shattered country in the crucial elections on April 5.
The crucial elections will pave the way for the country's first-ever peaceful democratic transfer of power, because the constitution bars the incumbent President, Hamid Karzai, from standing again.
The elections are also considered important for the future of Afghanistan as foreign troops will be leaving the country this year.
President Karzai, who is scheduled to step down in May if a new leader is elected in the first round of the elections, launched a fresh appeal to the citizens to go to the polling centres without any fear and exercise their democratic right.
“The enemies of peace and the involvement of foreign intelligence agencies in subversive activities further strengthen the resolve of our people to bring change,” the beleaguered President said in a TV advertisement in Pashto and Dari languages.
He also urged people to accept the results of the landmark elections and to ignore their pre-election political differences. Karzai also guaranteed transparent and fair elections.
Elections
The election is the third in nearly 13 years since an American-led invasion dislodged the Taliban. The official Bakhtar news agency reported that nearly 13 million people, who are eligible to vote, will go to polling centres. However, an election observer in Kabul told The Express Tribune that the number of registered voters has increased to up to 17 million.
The Afghan body responsible for organizing the polls, the Independent Election Commission (IEC), said that polling would be conducted in 90% of around 7,500 polling centres, with the remaining centres being closed due to security concerns and access issues. A total of 748 polling centres will not be open over security threats.
The IEC Chief Dr Ahmad Yusuf Nuristani, said in Kabul polling will begin at 7:30am local time and will continue until 4pm, without any break in between.
According to officials, the official result of the elections will be announced on May 14. If no presidential candidate receives more than 50 percent of the vote, a runoff election will be held on May 22, 2014.
Security concerns
The Afghan Defence Ministry said that about 195,000 security personnel have been assigned to provide security for the elections.
"Our reserve forces are also on red alert and all Afghan National Army (ANA) soldieries are contributing in the security of elections," MoD spokesperson Zahir Azimi stated in Kabul.
He claimed foreign interests were behind attempts to derail the election process, echoing previous remarks made by other Afghan security officials and politicians in response to the recent surge in violence across the country.
The recent deadly attacks in Kabul including last month’s brazen attack at the heavily-policed Serena Hotel that killed nine people including foreigners raise serious questions regarding the capability of security forces that will bear more responsibility after the Nato withdrawal this year. A security official told The Express Tribune today that around half of the foreigners have left Kabul following the Taliban attacks.
The Taliban have issued a new threat of launching a wave of attacks, asking people to stay away from polling centres.
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Our prayers to the great God Shiva is with the Pakthoons, the Sons of Gandhari.Hope they get their fair share of Scythian occupied land, which is Pakthunistan.It will become a glorious Afghanistan, full of peace tolerance and noble values.