Afghans are due to cast their ballots in the long-awaited parliamentary elections today (Saturday) amid heavy security measures across the country.
Nearly nine million people registered to vote in the elections.
Polling centers in 32 provinces will open at 7am this morning.
The Independent Election Commission says the polling centers will remain open until 4pm today.
The election commission has 5,070 centers across the country and more than 2,500 candidates are competing for 249 seats in the Wolesi Jirga, the Lower House of Parliament.
The elections will not be held in Ghazni and Kandahar provinces due to security issues.
The Independent Election Commission on Sunday said they have issued over 200,000 accreditation cards to national and international observers and organizations, including the Afghan election watchdog organizations.
Afghans Ready To Vote Despite Threats
Afghans from different parts of the country said they are ready to vote in the parliamentary elections despite challenges. They said only eligible candidates should be voted for.
“People should go to polling stations tomorrow (Saturday) and vote for competent candidates,” said Abdul Hadi Bahir, a Kabul resident.
“People should vote for the candidates who will serve the nation and take the country out of the current situation,” said Mir Maftoon, an artist from Badakhshan.
A Kabul resident, who says he has not registered now says he regrets that he will not be able to vote on election day.
“I wish I had registered and it would have been better if was able to vote. But now it is not the time for registration,” said Habib Rahmati, a Kabul resident.
A number of political analysts said a vast turnout of Afghans is a must for the elections.
“If people stay in their homes and do not vote, then the remarks of those who are against democracy will be supported,” said Mohammad Umer Daudzai,member of the leadership team of Council for Protection and Stability in Afghanistan.
According to figures by the Independent Election Commission (IEC), at least nine million people have registered to vote in the elections.
