SHARAN (Pajhwok): Given active participation of the people in the runoff vote, the turnout in southeastern Paktika province was higher that the April 5 first round, the Independent Election Commission (IEC) director said on Monday.
Zabihullah Wagarai told Pajhwok Afghan News around 425,000 ballot papers had been dispatched to the polling sites across the province and around 400,000 people had cast votes in Saturday’s election.
He said the people of this province streamed to polling sites despite militants’ threats and cast their vote in large number. The participation of women, he said was much high than expected, he added.
Niamatullah, a resident of Sharan, the provincial capital, said almost all eligible voters came out of their houses on June 14 to elect their future leader.
At least 266 polling stations were allocated for Paktika, with all of them remained open on Election Day, he concluded.
sam/nh