KABUL (PAN): A number of Afghans who did not participate in the August 20 polls wanted to join the second round on November .7

Around six million people had participated in the election. Hamid Karzai had got 54.6 per cent votes and his rival Dr. Abdullah got 27.8 per cent. However, the invalidation of ballots at 210 polling stations by the complaint commission reduced Karzai's percentage to 49.67.

Many people did not join the previous elections for security reasons, but they are eager to going the same this time.

Said Ahmad, resident of Kabul, told Pajhwok he would take part in the polls this time as he believed his vote could play a key role in the future of the country.

Dr. Ahmad, resident of Kanda Lagh village of Ghazni's Qarabagh district, is also among those who did not participate in the August 20 polls. However, the doctor said he was ready to join the process this time.

He said foreigners' interference in the elections forced him to use his right to vote by supporting his favourite candidate.

Resident of Ramak village of Deh Yak district, Faizullah Khan, said he did not join the process because fearing militant attacks. However, he wants to vote despite security threats on November 7.

"I shall go to some other area to cast my vote if there is no possibility of the process in my own village," said Faizullah Khan.

Many people in Kandahar provincial also did not participate in the elections fearing Taliban threats. Muhammad Hassan, resident of Dand district of the province, is one among them.

"No only me, but all members of my family will cast their votes this time," said Hassan. He said interference by some elements forced him to participate in the polls this time.

Rahmatullah, resident of Char Dara district of the northern Kunduz province, said he did not participate in the process for security reasons. However, he would use his vote on November 7, said Rahmatullah.

Najmuddin, another resident of Kunduz, then said that he did not join the process because of an overwhelming number of candidates. "I shall use my right to vote this time as only two candidates are in the field now."

A Taliban member, who did not want to be named, also said he would participate in the elections as a protest against the interference of foreigners in the process.

He said all Afghans should participate in the elections and stop the foreigners from interfering in the internal affairs of Afghanistan.

There is no comment from Taliban about the fresh polling process. Earlier, the Taliban had warned people against participation in the elections forcing many people to stay away from the process.

dk