KUNDUZ CITY (Pajhwok): Out of 220 polling stations set up in northern Kunduz province, people have registered as voters in only 98 stations and among these 30 stations face high security threats.
Rassoul Omar, Independent Election Commission (IEC) head for Kunduz, told Pajhwok Afghan News voter registration process did not take place in 122 polling stations of the province due to security problems.
“There are a total of 220 polling stations in Kunduz, but people visited only 98 of them,” he said.
He added 18 of the polling stations faced medium and 12 other high security risks.
“The voting process may probably not take place in these polling stations for being very sensitive,” he said.
Omar did not say where these high risk polling stations exist, but said most of them are in districts.
He said the list of all polling stations had been shared with security organs in order to ensure their security on the Election Day.
Zabihullah Majeedi, a Wolesi Jirga candidate in Kunduz, told Pajhwok that bad security situation had created problems for the upcoming polls.
“The voter registration process could not be launched in many polling stations. The government should ensure security of at least the polling stations where people have taken their voter cards, so they are able to participate in the democratic process,” he said.
He expressed concern that candidates would be seriously affected by closure of polling stations.
Majeedi asked security officials to take serious security measures for safety of voters during the Election Day.
Haji Akbar Kheyabani, a resident of Kunduz City, said it was difficult to hold elections outside Kunduz City and in district centers.
“Security is not good even on the outskirts of Kunduz city, Taliban have also warned people against participating in the polls,” he said.
Some other residents of Kunduz expressed similar views and asked the government to ensure foolproof security on the Election Day.
Kunduz police chief, Col. Abdul BaqiNuristani, said they had launched operations in areas under high security threat.
“We have launched operations to improve security and people would be able to participate in polls, we are also busy deploying new security posts,” he said. He said no one would be allowed to disrupt the election process.
The Wolesi Jirga elections are scheduled for October 20.
mds/ma