FAIZABAD (SW) – Up to 30 per cent population in Badakhshan province would not be able to vote for the forthcoming Wolesi Jirga (lowr house) elections, locals fear.
Abdullah Naji Nazari, member of the provincial council, told Salam Watandar up to 30 per cent of the province is under control of the Taliban, and the security threats would multiply during the day of voting depriving a large chunk of the population the right to vote.
Officials at the Independent Election Commission in the province are equally concerned.
Muhammaduddin Khwahani, director public relations at the IEC here, said out of the total of 322 polling stations, many are in areas under the Taliban control and many more are also under threat.
Security officials, however, vow to be ready to ensure security for polls. Syed Jahan Karamat, director security in the province, said in this regard new security operations are in sight to ensure peace and security.
According to the IEC officials, up to 100 polling stations are under threat in the province.
ENDS
