In Afghanistan, people took part in the voting on Saturday amid tight security arrangements while fundamentalists blasted polling stations at several places across the country. At least one person was killed and several others were injured in these blasts in many parts of the country. A spokesman for the provincial governor, Attaullah Khogayani, said that one person died and two others were injured in the blast near the polling station in Jalalabad in the eastern province of Nangarhar. The hospital director told AFP that at least 16 people were injured in the blast at the polling booth in the southern city of Kandahar.
The Taliban, who have carried out several attacks during the last two months during the election campaign, claimed to have targeted several polling stations. Significantly, in view of elections in the country, strict security arrangements have been made. The Taliban has continuously warned people not to vote. In the election, there is a tough fight between President Ashraf Ghani and the country's chief executive Abdullah. "Peace is the first demand of our people," Ghani said after casting his vote in a polling station in a school in Kabul".
He said, 'Its structure is ready, I want people to give me permission and legitimacy so that we can work towards peace.' There are about 96 lakh registered voters in Afghanistan, but many of these people fought for 18 years of war. After this, any government has lost hope of making things better. At the same time, the Taliban have also continuously threatened the voting. The terrorist organization carried out suicide attacks to target election rallies and electoral offices. A large number of people died in these. In view of this, Afghan authorities have made security preparations.
On Friday, Home Minister Masood Andrabi, while outlining security preparations in the election, said that it took him eight months to prepare the outline. Three specific security circles have been erected outside 4,942 polling stations across the country. Policemen and intelligence officers will remain in the first two circles. Third and most important circles are the Afghan National Army personnel. The voting will run till 3 pm local time. The results are expected by 19 October. Any candidate must win more than 50 percent of the vote to win. If this is not done then the voting will be held again in November between the candidates who live in the top two places.
