Iran Press/Asia: Afghans began voting on Saturday in parliamentary elections overshadowed by chaotic organization, allegations of corruption and violence that has forced a postponement of the vote in the strategic southern province of Kandahar, Reuters reported.
The United Nations, which has been supporting the process, has urged Afghans to “use this opportunity to exercise their constitutional right to vote” and called for the election to take place in a safe and secure environment.
Officials worry that violence will keep voters away from polling stations, particularly following the assassination of the police chief of Kandahar on Thursday, which forced authorities to delay the election in the province by a week.
Taliban militants have issued a series of statements telling people not to take part in what they consider a foreign-imposed process and warning election centers may be attacked.
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Thousands of police and soldiers have been deployed across the country but already nine candidates have been assassinated and hundreds of people killed and wounded in election-related attacks.
Polls opened at 7.00 a.m. (0230 GMT) and voting is due to continue until 4.00 p.m. Due to the difficulty of collecting and collating results across Afghanistan, the overall results will not be known for at least two weeks.
Election authorities originally planned 7,355 polling centers but only 5,100 will be able to open due to security concerns, according to the Independent Election Commission, overseeing the vote.
More than 2,500 candidates - including many women - are vying for 250 seats.
But more than 30% of polling stations are shut because of security concerns - 10 candidates have been killed in the lead up to the vote.
Preliminary results are expected 20 days after the election, on 10 November.
Voting has also been delayed in Ghazni province, by arguments about the representation of different ethnic groups.
Meanwhile voting in Kandahar province has been delayed by a week after the assassination of a top police chief.
Gen Abdul Raziq was shot dead by a rogue bodyguard on Thursday.
The Taliban claimed the attack, which came after a high-level security meeting. US commander Gen Scott Miller narrowly escaped unhurt.
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