Residents are unable to cast their votes as a result of threats from militants on the one hand and those from far-flung towns cannot reach polling stations well in time on the other, argued a man from Zurmat district on Wednesday.

Muhammad Ismail informed Pajhwok Afghan News Taliban fighters had warned the people against voting in the election tomorrow. The insurgents had also forced the locals into staying away from the registration process, he recalled.

The registration process had been incomplete for security reasons, the 25-five-year-old claimed, revealing the militants threatened people with cutting off inked fingers.

"We will be deprived of roads and development if we don't take part in elections, but then we don't need stability for one day only. If we go to the polls, we run the risk of being killed and that is why we won't cast votes," he argued.

The people, who have not been issued with registration cards, will obviously stay away from voting. But many of those who got the cards are also undecided about exercising their franchise, mainly because of far-off polling stations, according to Saifullah, a resident of Janikhel district.

"We want the government to set up more polling stations because the existing nine are not enough. Maybe some residents will be deprived of their right to vote due to the lack of polling stations," he feared.

Afghanistans Independent Election Commission (IEC) head for the southeastern zone Najibullah Ahmadzai confirmed insecurity could lead to disenfranchisement some people. "Although there are security concerns, elections will take place," he hoped.

All women in Rabat area of the province were left out of the voter registration campaign, complained Sultan Bibi. "Family patriarchs won't allow women to go to polling centres and insecurity could be another big problem," she added.

However, Paktia police chief said tight security arrangements had been made to ensure safety of voters and election staff. Brig. Gen. Aziz Ahmad Wardak assured guerrillas would not be allowed to disrupt the elections.

He said 1500 policemen, 1945 Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers and 400 border guards were ready to secure polling centres. The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) would conduct air patrols on Election Day, he concluded.

frm/mud