UN calls on Afghans not to give up voting right

KABUL, July 27 (Xinhua) -- A spokesperson of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Afghanistan (UNAMA) Monday said that UN wants Afghan people not to let those who bring violence to Afghan community to steal their opportunity to participate the coming presidential polls.

"We ask Afghan people not to let those who bring violence to Afghan community to steal the opportunity to participate in this year's polls," Haleem Siddiqe told reporters in a weekly press briefing.

Siddiqe also said that the candidates must have the opportunity to reach out to Afghan community to express their hopes and their manifest for the future of this country that is imperative.

UN's comment came after one security guard of Mohammad Fahim Qasim, the first deputy to incumbent President Hamid Karzai for reelection, was injured on Sunday as militants opened fire on their convoy heading to a northern province for election campaign.

Moreover, two provincial council candidates were killed in Afghanistan since the campaign process formally begun on June 16.

Afghanistan's second presidential and provincial council election since the fall of Taliban regime will be held on Aug. 20 amid tight security.