City
Epaper

Afghanistan prepares for presidential election amid challenges

By IANS | Updated: September 16, 2019 15:00 IST

Afghanistan is preparing for the upcoming presidential election on September 28 amid Taliban threats and persisting challenges.

Open in App

Afghan Interior Ministry officials held a meeting on Monday to discuss election security as Taliban militants have vowed to disrupt the process, reports Xinhua news agency.

"This morning, I chaired our weekly Planning and Coordination Meeting on Elections' Security. We are entering into an important phase. So far, we have accomplished all planned security goals and we are ready and looking forward to September 28," Abdul Moqim Abdulrahimzai, director general of operations and plans of the ministry, wrote on Twitter.

"Our particular focus is on our citizens' protection. Thanks to all our partners for their tireless support."

A total of 18 contenders are in the fray including sitting President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani and his Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah.

More than 9 million eligible voters are expected to cast their ballots.

The Afghan National Defence and Security Forces (ANDSF) have beefed up security operations against Taliban fighters as the militants have launched massive attacks on cities and districts across the country.

The security forces have recaptured six districts from Taliban militants in northern Faryab, Takhar and Badakhshan provinces since Friday, in a bid to ensure security for the polls.

The poll will be the fourth presidential election in Afghanistan since 2001, when US troops invaded the country to oust the Taliban regime.

Taliban militants who have vowed to derail the election termed the voting process as a "ploy of foreign invaders to continue their occupation of Afghanistan", urging people to boycott the poll.

The ANDSF will provide security for 4,942 out of 5,373 polling centres and the remaining 431 located in remote districts will not open on the election day due to militants' presence, according to election officials.

Election officials and workers will use biometric devices on the election day in order to avoid multiple votes and identify people involved in fraud.

A QR code will be printed and stuckon the ballot papers. Without the code the ballot paper will be considered invalid during counting process.

( With inputs from IANS )

Tags: TalibanAfghan Interior MinistryAfghanistan
Open in App

Related Stories

CricketZimbabwe Clinch First Home Test Victory Since 2013 With Dominant Win Over Afghanistan

Cricket'Immoral and Barbaric': Rashid Khan Reacts After Pakistan Airstrikes Kill 3 Cricketers in Afghanistan

InternationalPakistan-Afghanistan Conflict: At Least 15 Civilians Killed, Over 100 Injured in Pakistani Artillery Fire in Kandahar

CricketAFG vs BAN 2025 3rd ODI Highlights: Afghanistan Thrash Bangladesh by 200 Runs to Sweep ODI Series 3–0

InternationalIndia to Reopen Embassy in Kabul Four Years After Taliban Takeover of Afghanistan

International Realted Stories

InternationalIndian mission hosts global diplomats in Guatemala, highlights partnership vision

InternationalTrump rules out meeting Canadian PM over "dishonest" ad, says "I can play dirtier than they can"

InternationalZohran Mamdani condemns 'racist, baseless attacks' in heartfelt Bronx speech on Islamophobia

InternationalThailand's Queen Mother Sirikit passes away at age of 93

InternationalUS keen to finalise trade deal with S. Korea as soon as possible