KABUL (PAN): Campaigning for the runoff election between incumbent Hamid Karzai and his rival Dr. Abdullah Abdullah will begin from Saturday (October 24), according to Independent Election Commission (IEC)'s media commission.

Siddiqullah Tawhidi, head of the media commission, in a press conference on Thursday asked all media outlets to ensure impartiality during the campaigning period.

He said the people may not cast their vote with enthusiasm, but the media can play a key role in convincing them to go to polling stations.

He urged media organizations not to highlight any issue reflecting tribal discrimination of the two candidates.

About facilities to media people for coverage on the Election Day, Tawhidi said: "We have learnt many experiences from the first round of the polls, and we will make efforts to resolve the problems existed in some polling stations for media coverage."

To a question, he said during the first round of the elections, some media outlets violated the code of conduct and were introduced to the violation commission of IEC.

He asked the international media to release reports which could encourage people to vote, not to discourage them.

The local media should also play a proactive role in encouraging people to vote as huge turnout would result into validity and legitimacy of the elections.

Afghanistan will hold a deciding round of its problem-hit presidential poll on 7 November, pitting Hamid Karzai against his rival Abdullah Abdullah.

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