Helmand governor expects higher turnout

LASHKARGAH (Pajhwok): Governor of southern Helmand province Gen. Mohammad Naeem said on Saturday the voter turnout would be higher in the runoff election than the first round of April 5.

He told Pajhwok Afghan News polling began at 7:00 am and people started thronging polling sites.

Qudratullah Naqshbandi, the Independent Election Commission (IEC) director, said around 147 polling sites had opened and people could exercise their right to franchise.

Hafizullah, a resident of Lashkargah, the provincial capital, said after casting his vote: “It is a matter of pleasure for me that voting is ongoing in a peaceful environment.”

Lutfullah Garmser, the director of the National Directorate of Security (NDS), said Afghan forces were working in coordination to thwart any untoward incident.

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