Elections held successfully in Balkh

MARZAR-I-SHARIF (Pajhwok): The April 5 elections had been successful and without any untoward incident in northern Balkh province, the police chief said on Tuesday.

Brig. Gen. Abdur Rahman Rahimi told reporters in Mazar-i-Sharif that security forces did an honest job in protecting polling centres and voters from insurgent attacks.

He claimed 38 militants had been killed and nearly a dozen others injured during separate incidents since the Election Day (Saturday).

Eight Afghan security forces also lost their lives to rebel attacks, said Rahimi, who praised the masses for supporting Afghan forces in maintaining security during the polls.

He said residents defied night letters warning them of dire consequences if they took part in the elections.

Provincial National Directorate of Security (NDS) chief Gen. Ibadullah Ibad said their agents had foiled several terror attacks and defused dozens of roadside bombs.

Regional Independent Election Commission (IEC) chief Izzatullah Arman said votes had been cast at all polling sites across Balkh, including those declared under high security threats.

He said ballot boxes and other electoral materials had reached Mazar-i-Sharif from all districts. The boxes interfered with by warlords would be quarantined.

mds/ma

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