FARAH CITY (PAN): Keeping in mind a better tomorrow, residents of western Farah province expressed optimism to take part in the upcoming elections but a number of them said deteriorated security would hamper people’s participation in ballots.
A group of some residents said they did not want to cast their votes for the next president.
A school teacher: I will vote because education sector witnessed considerable improvement during the incumbent government:
Khan Aqa 46, a teacher in the Farah city school said the education sector witnessed tangible progress throughout the country over the past decade. Despite lack of attention to facilitate the teachers’ community, “I will vote in larger interests of the education sector to be promoted.”
“I prefer to cast ballot to help elect a right person for presidential post by keeping in view the bright future of my country.”
A farmer: I will cast my vote if security is tight:
Farid Ahmad 38, a resident of Ganj village in Balablok district said growers of his district were facing with insecurity, which could not be resolved so far. He linked casting his vote with enhanced and bolstered security to his town.
“We did not cast our votes in the previous elections because Taliban had warned people they would chop off fingers of those who were found casting their votes.”
He said he would cast his vote in favour of a candidate who would help ensure stability and construct Bakhsh Abad Dam in his town.
A Laborer: Joblessness infected me to mental problems:
Mustafa 35, a resident of Bagh-i-Pul locality of Farah city, said he used to rush to the main square of the provincial capital in an apparent attempt to get work but he was able to get work hardly only two days in a week.
“Because of economic woes, I am suffering from mental problems. I am not satisfied with the performance of parliamentarians we voted for during the last elections,” he added.
For a bright future of his country, he said he would exercise his voting right in the upcoming presidential and provincial council elections. He would cast his ballot in favour of candidate who would help resolve his community problems irrespective of political ethnic and political affiliation.
A school teacher: I will vote in favour of an enthusiastic candidate who will work in larger interests of the country:
Wazhma from Farah city said she was able to complete her high school education because of the incumbent government efforts to bolster the education sector. She would exercise her vote right in the upcoming polls to cast ballot favor of a candidate who would work in larger interests of the country.
A government employee: I will vote because I love my motherland: 
Fazal Ahmad, a resident of Karji village of the provincial capital said elections was the only way out to get rid from the menace and clutches of warlords.
He said: “I love my homeland and I am convinced polls are the only way to ensure good governance in the country. My entire family will go to the polling stations to cast our votes.”
A trader: I may not participate in the upcoming polls:
Abdul Bari 44, a trader and resident of Farah city said the candidate he had voted for during the last elections could not win rather inefficient contender was declared winner. Many eligible individuals would be unable to exercise their voting rights due to growing insecurity, with ballot boxes in far-flung and volatile regions were being filled with votes in favor of warlords and influential.
He believed the winner in the previous presidential polls was already had been chosen as result of compromise among powerful countries.
A refugee: I will vote in favor of a candidate who can help us live in peace on our land:
Mubarak Shah 42, who returned to his home country a year ago complained about the life in an alien country, adding he would cast his vote in favour of a patriotic contender.
“I will help elect a candidate who helps us live on our soil with dignity and peace,” he added.
He said his two young sons were addicted to drugs in Iran and both had now been hospitalized at a drugs rehabilitation centre in Farah city. “I lived in Iran for 15 long years where the Iranian police arrested and then tortured me. So, I will vote to help stabilize my country,” he remarked.