Afghanistan goes to poll amid threats from Taliban

After a long delay of three years, voters in Afghanistan finally cast their votes for the parliamentary elections amid chaos, corruption and threats from Taliban.

Around 2500 candidates including women are contesting for 250 seats.

This is the first election in Afghanistan since the NATO combat mission ended in December 2014 placing security responsibility primarily with the afghan forces.

Around 54000 security personnel have been deployed to ensure fair and safe elections throughout the country.

Despite heavy security forces been deployed in the country, many people were killed including 10 candidates. Also, out of the initially planned 7000 polling stations 30% have been shut down leaving only 5000 operational polling stations.

In the Kandahar province election were delayed after a top police chief Gen Abdul Raziq was killed by the Taliban.

Over 9 million voters are entitled to cast their precious votes for the elections.

While Taliban calls it a “fake election” and is appealing the citizens to boycott it, Afghans are desperate for a better life, jobs, and to end the war with Taliban. Many candidates contesting for the elections are well educated and promise to deliver change in the chaos and conflict stricken country.

While this is only the third election in the country after the removal of Taliban in 2001, Taliban is not the only barrier for free and fair elections. Earlier elections have witnessed corruption, fake multiple voters, fraud ballot box stuffing and voter intimidation.

To tackle multiple voting as many as 22000 biometric devices have been distributed so that voter’s fingerprints and pictures can be taken to make sure that no one votes twice.

The preliminary results are expected to be declared on November 10 which is 20 days after the elections. This will be followed by a lengthy period in which complaints can be made and addressed. Final results are due by December 20.