74pc of Samangan voter registration centers still closed

AIBAK (Pajhwok): Forty-six voter registration centers are yet to be open in some districts of northern Samangan province due to the lack of security forces, officials said Wednesday.

Mohammad Aslam Haidar, acting provincial Independent Election Commission (IEC) director, told Pajhwok Afghan News 25 of the total of 115 centers were opened in Aibak, the provincial capital, and districts in the first phase.

It was scheduled to set up 62 voter registration centers in districts, but due to the shortage of security personnel, only 16 were opened.

He expressed concern most of the voter registration offices could not be opened in Hazrat Sultan, Khuram Sar-i-Bagh, Dara-i-Sauf Payeen, Dara-i-Sauf Bala, Ruy Doab and Feroz Nkhchir districts.

Acting Samangan police chief, Mohammad Nader Fahim, confirmed the IEC official remarks.

He said security forces were busy maintaining security of voter centers and would strive hard to open the remaining centers and ensure their security as well.

sa/ma