Afghan election workers kidnapped

The Taliban have kidnapped 19 people working for the parliamentary election in Afghanistan, as pressure builds ahead of Saturday’s election. Meanwhile, concerns are growing about an influx of fake voter cards to the country.

Reuters

Abdul Rahman Hayat, a candidate for the lower house, was kidnapped in Alishing district early on Friday morning. Hours earlier, eight election officials and 10 campaign workers were abducted from the Muqur district.

The Taliban has threatened to disrupt the polls. A spokesman told French press agency AFP on Thursday that polling centres, election workers and security forces would be targeted. The group has already killed three candidates.

Meanwhile, the election is facing potential challenges to its legitimacy, with allegations of vote buying and fake voting cards.
 

"In Afghanistan under the circumstances we must expect that there'll be irregularities, there'll be problems and there'll be allegations as well,” said Afghan president Hamid Karzai.

“But we should try to do our best under the circumstances. I know lots of people have spent money, businesses, those who are getting contracts from the international community, they have lots of money to spend... but the people should vote regardless of the dollar amount or pressure on them."

Authorities say they have seized thousands of fake voter cards and observer accreditation badges in Kabul and the provinces of Ghazni and Ghor.