KHOST CITY (SW) – Security threats have forced authorities in Khost to close down 27 polling stations across the province for the forthcoming Wolesi Jirga (lower house) elections.
Based on the observations of the provincial security council, eight out of 12 districts in the province are faced with security concerns. It include Sapara, Baak, Qalandar, Mosa Khail, Nadir Shah Kot Alisher, Ismailkhail and Mandozay.
Meanwhile, the locals protested against the decision by the security officials to close down polling stations in these districts. Two such local elders, Marak Zadran and Gul Ahmad, said this decision is ‘disrespect’ to the relative peace in the province. They claimed a member of the WJ is behind this move who wants to deny his opponents in these districts their right to vote.
Commenting on this, Shah Jahan Sardari, provincial head of the Independent Election Commission, clarified the security related matters are not decided by the IEC.
Akhtar Mohammad Noorzai, provincial police chief, clarified the final decision has not been taken yet, however, a number of distircts are faced with threats.
The protesting residents claim the security officials have vowed to close down polling stations that are at a distance of few meters from the provincial administrative complex in the
ENDS
