PUL-I-ALAM (Pajhwok): Women activists on Monday underlined the need for security around polling stations for female voters in central Logar province.
At a meeting on public awareness, participants said a large number of women were interested in voting for candidates of their choice in the April 5 elections.
A resident of Pul-i-Alam, Rana Sadiqi, told Pajhwok Afghan News she wished to vote in the polls but ensuring security for polling sites was essential.
“Militant activities are increasing with the weather change. The government has to take strict measures for polling station security in some areas,” she said.
A resident of Mohammad Agha district, Balqis, asked the authorities to pay special attention to women’s security. “This will enable us to go to polling stations.”
Independent Election Commission (IEC) chief for the province, Niamatullah Wardak, acknowledged security threats still existed in Baraki Barak, Charkh, Kharwar and Azra districts.
“Women’s concerns are genuine. If the security environment in these districts district doesn’t improve, neither women nor men will be able to vote,” Wardak warned.
But police chief, Brig. Gen. Abdul Hakim Ishaqzai said security forces were fully prepared to meet the challenge.
He added only Kharwar and Charkh districts were under medium security threat and police were trying to ensure security for all 83 polling stations in the province.
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