KABUL (PAN): Education Minister Farooq Wardak has asked all staffers of his ministry and students to cast their votes in the presidential and provincial council elections, scheduled for Thursday.

"Afghanistan and Afghans are on the threshold of an important stage -- presidential and provincial council elections -- which can determine the fate of the nation," the minister said in a statement on Saturday.

Wardak urged ministry staffers and students of voting age to play an active role in the elections and discharge their religious responsibility of electing committed, intelligent and leaders capable of serving the nations.

"The ministry expects all security organs to ensure the security of all countrymen, particularly its employees, students and schools housing polling stations," the statement added. 

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