Taliban threatens Afghan voters

(Aug.18,2009) In Afghanistan, the latest threats issued by the Taliban to disrupt Thursday’s presidential election include “suicide attacks against polling stations”, and cutting off “noses and ears of those who vote”. The threats were printed on leaflets left in the southern part of the country, and also to a lesser extent in Kabul. Attacks have also been stepped up against the military but especially the civilian population. “We are using new tactics targeting election centres,” Taliban spokesman Qari Yousuf Ahmadi said.
Some 6,500 polling stations will be in operation on Election Day. The number of registered voters is up, 16.7 million against 12 million in the previous election in 2004. Some 41% are women. Some 36 candidates are running for president, including two women.
The country’s 34 provincial councils are also being renewed. About 3,324 candidates are running; 342 of these are women. The first results should be made public at the end of August. The official announcement is scheduled for 7 September 2009.