Afghanistan readies for Saturday's elections amid deep security concerns

(19 Oct 2018) Afghanistan is going ahead with parliamentary elections on Saturday despite deep security concerns and ongoing fighting in as many as 20 out of the country's 34 provinces. The vote comes amid a particularly vicious campaign by the Taliban and the Islamic State group, which have been staging near-daily attacks. Besides the security challenges, there have also been concerns over the transparency of the vote and for the first time, the election commission has equipped polling stations with biometric identification systems. The deputy chair of the Independent Election Commission (IEC) Wasima Badghisi said that while security remains a challenge, the commission is hopeful for a peaceful polling day. More than 50,000 members of Afghan security forces will be deployed to secure the polling stations. Afghan defense ministry spokesman Ghafor Ahmad Jawed believes the Taliban will attempt to disrupt the election process. But he added that Afghan security forces have taken all the necessary measures to ensure a peaceful polling day. Afghan officials announced three levels of security belts at each polling center. Police and members of the intelligence force will make up the first two belts, covering a distance of 3,000 to 5,000 metres (yards) from polling centers. The third security belt will be patrolled jointly by police and Afghan army. Officials say elections will not be held in 10 districts completely under Taliban control. Kabul resident Haji Mohammad Karim called for a "transparent parliament." While another local, Najibullah, said nothing would keep from casting his vote. "I am not scared at all," Najibullah insisted. 2,565 candidates are vying for 249 seats in the lower house of parliament, including 417 women candidates. Voters will be able to cast ballots at more than 19,000 polling stations in 33 provinces. Political analyst Haroon Mir said it's important for the Afghan government to send a message to the Taliban - who are engaging in separate negotiations with the United States on a possible political settlement - that its institutions are functioning, and that if the Taliban decides to come to the negotiating table, they will have to deal with a government and a political process that's acceptable to the majority of Afghans. There have been deadly attacks against candidates and campaign rallies, both by the Taliban and Islamic States militants. The Taliban, who have been fighting Afghan and NATO forces for more than 17 years, have condemned the elections and warned candidates and Afghan security forces they would be targeted. They have also warned teachers and students not to participate in the elections and not to allow schools to be used as polling centers. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...