Afghan voices: Election security

Afghans across the country are getting ready to vote

Fresh violence has erupted in the Afghan capital Kabul on the eve of the country's presidential election.

Here, people across the country comment on whether the security situation will stop them from going to the polls.

Afghans are determined to take part in the election despite threats from the Taliban. Thursday is a very important day for Afghanistan and we will vote for our favourite candidate. The lives of Afghans have significantly improved since the fall of Taliban in 2001. We think Afghanistan is moving in the right direction and the elections are crucial to this. I will encouraged all of my family members to go to the polls, the future of our children is more important than our lives.
Dr Aemal Zaki, Jalalabad, Afghanistan

It is very difficult to know who the Taliban are and who supports them. Everybody here feels worried about their future. This violent group has no pity on locals, not even on children and babies. What kind of Muslims are they? Although I am a Muslim, I strongly want to overthrow the Taliban and al-Qaeda. If they were true Muslims, they would have pity on children.
Rez, Afghanistan

I heard there will be suicide attacks on election day. It is so terrible that most people will ignore the election. I also won't vote because of the lack of security.
Mozhgan, Afghanistan

The recent violence in the country and in particular in the capital, Kabul, will stop some people from going to the voting centres. Innocent Afghans still lose their lives. We really hope that nothing will happen on the day of elections and my message to all respectable Afghan people is to go to the polling centres. We should vote for someone whose hands are not red with Afghan blood. I hope that the security forces will work hard so that our enemies will not cause violence on election day.
Harris Arifi, Kabul, Afghanistan

This is the worst stage of the elections. In the town where I live it is very risky, we are not sure whether Afghan security forces can deal with the situation.
Ajmal, Kunduz, Afghanistan

I am really excited about the election. Our country is stepping towards a new democratic era and our people are happy that they are able to elect their own leader. The only concerning points are the recent attacks by Taliban - they really shocked and saddened people. Still, most people say that whatever happens they will participate and vote. We are willing to take the risk.
M Mirwais, Kabul, Afghanistan

I am an expat working in Kabul; the atmosphere has changed since the city was hit by suicide bombings. I will evacuate from the country if I feel the situation worsening. After feeling the aftershocks of a recent bombing, it's not something I wish to experience on a daily basis - it's horrendous.
Anon, Kabul, Afghanistan

Since the arrival of international troops, the Afghan national army and Afghan national police have failed to ensure security in any of the provinces. All Afghans are greatly concerned about participating in the elections. Fewer people will vote due to lack of security and stability. This will put the legitimacy of current elections in question. However, I am sure that many Afghans will take risks to vote for their favourite candidate in order to have an elected government, it will still be very difficult to have a positive turn out.
Mohammad Navid Sediqi, Kabul, Afghanistan

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