KABUL (PAN): A key challenger to President Hamid Karzai in the upcoming polls, Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, has described as inadequate security arrangements made for elections. At a news conference in Kabul on Saturday, Dr. Abdullah asked the government to announce the outcome of investigations into reports about attacks on election campaign gatherings.

The government had failed to ensure security for candidates and their campaign managers, alleged the former foreign minister, who said: "Many people want to take part in campaigns and voting but, unfortunately, the security measurements taken by the government are far from satisfactory." Abdullah alleged the authorities had failed to identify, much less punish, those responsible for attacks on public meetings.

"The government should announce the conclusion of investigations to inform the people who carried out such actions and why."

Two days back, those campaigning for Abdullah were attacked in Sherin Tagab district of northern Faryab province. One person was killed and three others sustained injuries in the assault. In separate incidents, election rallies in support of the same candidate came under attack a fortnight back in Dar-i-Noor district of Nangarhar and Dawlat Shah area of Laghman.

One man was killed and three others were wounded. A month ago, a roadside bomb targeting Dr. Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai's campaigners went off in northeastern Kunduz province. Similarly, President Karzai's campaign offices were attacked in southern Ghazni province this last week.

One security guard was killed and two people including a provincial council member suffered wounds in those incidents. Answering a query, Abdullah refuted claims that he was on the verge of striking a deal with the incumbent president on forming an alliance.

He would never an alliance with anyone, the ex-minister insisted. "I have decided to contest the presidential elections in line with public demands to bring about a positive change to the system, eradicate corruption, establish a reformed administration and restore peace and stability in the country," he concluded.