Anomalies reported in Kabul, Nangarhar

KABUL/JALALABAD (Pajhwok): A polling centre was closed for unknown reasons in the Pul-i-Charkhi neighborhood of Kabul, where reporters and observers were not permitted to visit another polling site.

A resident of the area, Dr. Ajmal, said the polling centre in Spin Jumat opened at 7am, but was closed two hours later. He added there were many people waiting in queues.

Another resident, who did not want to be named, said that parliamentarian Allah Gul Mujahid’s brother had entered the centre along with armed supporters and closed it. The MP supports Dr. Abdullah Abdullah.

At another polling centre, reporters and observers were not allowed to enter the site in the Senator Janat Khan Tarakhel area. The Pajhwok report saw armed people in plainclothes.

Qahar, an observer of Dr. Abdullah, claimed that he was beaten by armed individuals and his car was damaged “In the morning I heard a blast, I came out, but on return to the centre, I was not allowed and beaten up and my car glasses were broken.”

In eastern Nangarhar province, Afghan Local Police (ALP) personnel filled ballot boxes in favour of a candidate in Khewa district. Police officer Khwaja Aminullah Fazli told Pajhwok Afghan News they had received reports of ALP involvement in ballot stuffing.

He said security officials had been informed about the incident.

Ahmadullah, an observer, said police did not let people enter the polling station and began ballot stuffing at Dand mosque and a clinic in the area. 

A police official confirmed problems in Khewa district. He said a former commander, Gul Karim, forced people to give him their voting cards.

Nangarhar police chief Fazl Ahmad Sherzad said that an investigation had been launched.

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