Afghanistan Braces for Presidential Election Following New Violence in Kabul
By VOA News
19 August 2009
Incumbent Afghan leader Hamid Karzai urged voters to turn out for Thursday＇s presidential and provincial elections despite a sharp rise in militant violence this week.
Hamid Karzai (File photo)
During a ceremony to mark Independence Day in the tightly secured capital, Kabul, Wednesday, President Karzai asked voters not to allow Taliban violence to deter them.
His call came just hours after the latest in a series of deadly attacks on Kabul this week. Three gunmen wearing suicide vests stormed a bank in the capital, Wednesday, prompting an extended firefight with Afghan police. The attackers were killed and weapons recovered.
The Taliban claimed responsibility for the assault and promised more on election day.
Meanwhile, sporadic violence took more lives in the country＇s south, where the Taliban are strongest. Officials in Kandahar province said two election workers were killed in a bomb attack. And U.S. and NATO officials reported the death of three more U.S. soldiers.
Afghan officials, worried about the effect violence may have on voter turnout, asked news media Wednesday to not report on any attacks while polls are open. The move was roundly criticized by Afghan journalists and some said they would ignore it.
Security has been heightened with new checkpoints throughout Kabul. Officials say Afghan police will patrol the country＇s 6,500 polling stations while Afghan soldiers guard an outer perimeter. NATO announced that it will halt offensive operations during balloting and provide back-up support in the event of violence.
President Karzai faces some 30 challengers in the poll. His top rivals include Abdullah Abdullah, the former foreign minister; Ashraf Ghani, the former finance minister; and Ramazan Bashardost, a popular lawmaker from Kabul. Voters also will cast ballots for advisory provincial councils.
Opinion surveys indicate Mr. Karzai has a significant lead over his next challenger, but it may not be enough to avoid a second round runoff. Candidates must get more than 50 percent of the vote to win.
Initial results are expected to be released 48 hours after the vote.
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