Security tight ahead of Afghan election

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As violence increases in Afghanistan, concern is growing for the presidential elections on Thursday. Keith Crane has the details.

Growing violence has rattled confidence in the August 20th presidential election which pits incumbent Hamid Karzai against 35 challengers.

The Taliban are now stronger than at any time since they were driven from power eight years ago. They've vowed to disrupt the polls and threatened reprisals against voters.

Last month, Taliban militants attacked Karzai's first deputy, killing at least one of his bodyguards.

Last week, the Taliban infiltrated a provincial capital just south of Kabul and fired rocket-propelled grenades at government buildings.

At least three police and two civilians were killed.

Three days later, former president and sitting parliamentarian Burhanudin Rabbani escaped a Taliban attack.

Election and security officials are working hard to ensure that voting will take place.

But the deteriorating security situation has overshadowed the election.