Number of insecure polling sites rises to 420

KABUL (Pajhwok): Of the 6,845 polling stations across the country, security for 420 sites could not be ensured, the Ministry of Interior (MoI) said on Monday in its latest security plan for the April elections.

Security organs had announced last month their inability to protect 414 polling stations in 11 provinces due to high security threats there.

MoI spokesman Siddiqui Siddique told reporters in Kabul the 420 polling stations facing high security risks were located in 13 provinces and impassable areas. However, he added efforts were underway to reduce their number.

Currently 700 polling sites were under high security threat, he said, predicting militants could disrupt the election process at those sites.

“We are fully prepared to ward off any possible threat. We will defeat and suppress any possible aggressive acts,” Siddiqui said, adding security organs had been able to protect campaign workers over the past week.

In order to reduce security threats, he said 56 clean-up operations were conducted last week, killing 79 insurgents and detaining 47 others in various areas of the country.

The official asked presidential candidates to introduce their senior campaigners to the MoI so their security could be ensured.

The two-month presidential campaign began on Feb 2 and electioneering for provincial council elections is scheduled to start on March 4.

mds/ma/mud

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