414 voting stations to stay closed on elections day

KABUL: (MEP) – Afghan defense and interior ministry officials announced Saturday that the Afghan security institutions will not be able to provide security to 414 polling stations across the country on elections day.

The presidential and provincial elections are scheduled to be organized on 5th April this year.

Interior ministry spokesman, Sediq Sediqi told reporters in Kabul that Afghan security forces will provide security to 6,431 polling stations, out of 6,845.

Mr. Sediqi further added that the security institutions of Afghanistan will cover 96 percent of the polling stations across the country.

In the meantime, Sediqi said the capabilities of the Afghan security forces have considerably increased, as nearly 900 polling stations remained close on previous elections.

The head of ground forces of Afghan National Army, Lt Gen. Murad Ali Murad said Afghan forces will remain committed to take all necessary actions to provide security for the voters on elections day.

Gen. further added that the Afghan security forces will try to provide security for 414 polling stations, or will request independent elections commissions to shift the polling stations to other areas which could be covered by Afghan security forces.

Afghan defense ministry spokesman, Gen. Zahir Azimi said, the Afghan army officers were summoned to capital Kabul to discuss steps in providing security for the upcoming elections.

The security officials also added that they have handed over the summary of the polling stations reviews and plans to independent election commission of Afghanistan.

They also added that military operations were launched in restive provinces including Kunar, Nuristan, Logar, Faryab and Badakhshan provinces to reduce security threats on elections day.

Meanwhile, interior ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqi warned that Taliban militants will step up efforts to pose security threats during elections days, however, he said that Afghan security forces are capable to thwart any major security threats.