MAZAR-I-SHARIF (Pajhwok): Security officials on Monday said they would protect all polling stations from possible insurgent threats ahead of the April vote in northern Balkh province.
Provincial police chief, Col Abdur Razzaq Qadiri, told Pajhwok Afghan News that security forces were trying to secure all polling stations under threatened in Balkh.
Previously, some 31 polling sites were declared under high security threat but the number was later reduced to 24 as result of operations by Afghan forces, he said.
“Some polling sites in Albarz mountainous area, in Chamtal, Zari and Chahar Bolak districts are at high risk but Afghan forces are doing their bit to secure them,” he added.
However, an Independent Election Commission (IEC) official said the voter registration process was ongoing successfully and efforts of security forces were satisfactory.
Balkh IEC member Izzatullah Arman said 210,000 people in the province had been issued with voter cards so far and the registration process was still going on in Mazar-I-Sharif -- the provincial capital.
Residents welcomed the efforts for security polling sites. A resident of Mazar-I-Sharif, Mohammad Akbar, said Afghan forces had grown in strength and professionalism and could ensure security for locals.
