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Afghan security intensified ahead of election

2009-08-17 13:17 BJT

Special Report: Afghan presidential election |

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Election equipment and ballot boxes were being distributed across Afghanistan on Sunday, as the country intensifies security in the run-up to Thursday's presidential election.

With the Afghan election just a few days away, security is tight in Kabul.

For many Afghans, the issue of security during the upcoming vote is a central concern.

On Saturday, a suicide car bomb killed seven people outside NATO's military headquarters in the capital.

The Taliban, which claimed responsibility for the attack, has warned Afghans to boycott the vote and threatened to disrupt the balloting.

Kabul Resident, said, "Violence will have its impact on this election, because it will scare people and they won't go to vote. First and foremost, the security of the people should be guaranteed."

The government, for its part, is urging people to remain unbowed.

Hanif Atmar, Afghan Interior Minister, said, "Such terrorist attacks will not break the resolve of our nation. They will go to polling stations and they will vote for the person of their choice and they will show again and demonstrate their remarkable courage and resilience."