Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Violence threatens Afghan polling stations: officials
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
Yahoo! Search
Search:
Sign InNew User? Sign Up
News Home -
Help
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Australia
China
India
Indonesia
Japan
Malaysia
Philippines
Thailand
Vietnam
Search
Search:
Violence threatens Afghan polling stations: officials
AFP - 2 hours 15 minutes ago
KABUL (AFP) - - More than 10 percent of planned voting stations could be closed in Afghanistan during landmark elections because of safety fears, officials said Thursday, as escalating violence killed 14 civilians.
ADVERTISEMENT
As the August 20 polling day looms, fears of violence and suicide attacks are growing after the Taliban threatened to stop the electorate of 17 million from voting in the country's second presidential vote.
Election officials said security fears could mean hundreds of polling stations across the country do not open, cutting the planned number of voting destinations by up to 12 percent.
The Independent Election Commission (IEC) said the total number of stations could be as low as 6,200, down from earlier expectations of close to 7,000.
IEC officials were unable to say exactly how many voting stations will open for the presidential and provincial council elections.
"The number will be somewhere between the two figures, 6,200 and 7,000. It will be clear on election day, we will not know until then," the IEC's deputy electoral officer Zekria Barakzai told AFP.
The IEC submitted a list of 6,969 potential polling centres to security authorities in April, it said, adding that the number next week would "either be the same or more than in 2005".
Some 6,200 stations were opened in 2005's parliamentary and provincial council elections.
Officials would assess the security situation on the day, with chief electoral officer Daud Ali Najafi telling reporters: "There could be far fewer centres because they cannot be secured."
As the IEC expressed its concerns about security, leading presidential hopefuls traded political potshots after President Harmid Karzai and former foreign minister Abdullah Abdullah pulled out of a televised debate.
It was the second attempt to bring together Karzai, Abdullah and Ashraf Ghani to debate election issues that include the presence of troops from more than 40 countries, and the mounting toll of civilian casualties.
"Today is a sad day for democracy in Afghanistan," Ghani told reporters. "A democratic society cannot function without a democratic debate."
As the main candidates squeezed in more rallies ahead of the final day of campaigning on Tuesday, violence surged in the country's north and south.
Officials said bomb blasts in southern Helmand province killed 14 civilians, including 11 members of one family, when a roadside bomb struck a minivan.
The dead were five sons, four daughters and both parents, police commander for the southern zone, General Ghulam Wahdat, said, blaming the blast on the Taliban.
"Only one little girl around six years old survived," added provincial government spokesman Daud Ahmadi.
A roadside bomb in neighbouring Kandahar province killed three children as they were playing on Wednesday, police said.
Civilians bear the brunt of Afghanistan's Taliban-led insurgency, which has reached record proportions the eight years since the 2001 US-led invasion overthrew their regime and installed a Western-backed administration.
A Taliban ambush laid for former president Burhanuddin Rabbani in northern Afghanistan sparked a shootout on Thursday in which several militants were wounded, district officials said.
Rabbani, president during the 1992-1996 civil war, was unhurt in the attack in Kunduz province as militants hit an advance security convoy, they said.
Kunduz has seen heavy fighting between Taliban and security forces this week with the region one of several areas of concern ahead of the elections.
Afghan security forces there were attacked overnight Wednesday, in a clash that killed eight Taliban and wounded another 11, provincial police said.
In an increasingly violent north, Afghan forces fought off Taliban fighters in a battle an official said left eight militants and two policemen dead.
The clash was in Archi district, where insurgents killed the police chief two days ago.
The US military said that two of its soldiers were killed in attacks in the south on Wednesday and Thursday; Britain announced meanwhile that it lost three soldiers in a roadside bombing on Thursday.
Nearly 30 international soldiers have lost their lives in Afghanistan so far this month, almost all of them as a result of improvised explosive devices, or IEDs -- a favourite weapon of the militants.
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Sign in to recommend this article »
0 users recommend
Related Articles: Asia Pacific
Lee and Kiradech share Queen's Cup leadAFP - 2 hours 52 minutes ago
American service member killed in AfghanistanAP - Friday, August 14
Indian Nehwal and German Schenk share limelightAFP - Friday, August 14
Karzai orders Afghan forces election cease-fireAP - Friday, August 14
Poll: Pakistanis oppose Taliban, still revile USAP - Friday, August 14
Enlarge Photo
Violence threatens Afghan polling stations: officials
Most Popular – Asia Pacific
Viewed
Burglars steal $15m from Saudi princess
Rare flowering of Chinese tree in Belgium
Sweden's Princess Madeleine to marry: palace
Perseid meteor showers heading your way
Paradise is being in love -- or having a beer
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service
- Community
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy
- Help
Other News on Friday, 14 August 2009 Suicide bombers kill 18 in northern Iraq
Teenager kills parents, brothers in Corsica
Zune HD in stores in September
Karzai rival tells huge crowd Afghan race not over
| International
|
Double suicide bombing kills more than 20 in Iraq
US retail sales' surprise dip clouds recovery
Fidel Castro turns 83 with economy on his mind
| International
|
Some Iran detainees were tortured to death
Violence threatens Afghan polling stations: officials
18 killed in Iraq suicide bombing
Chocolate 'cuts death rate' in heart attack survivors
UN expert receives claims of prison abuse in Iran
U.N. experts deplore alleged torture of inmates in Iran
Suicide bombers kill 18 in northern Iraq
| International
|
Israel dragnet on report Palestinians grab soldier
| International
|
Microsoft prices Zune HD below iPod
| Technology
|
Obama to attend APEC conference in Singapore
Hotel puts partial blame on victim in 2006 rape
Asian Web connections set to resume by end of Thursday
| Technology
|
1 killed, 2 injured in Detroit police chase
Utah paper rejects same-sex wedding announcement
FAA, air traffic controllers agree on new contract
'Death to Obama' sign holder in Md. detained
American service member killed in Afghanistan
Karzai orders Afghan forces election cease-fire
Priest's anti-gang program in budget crisis
Poll: Pakistanis oppose Taliban, still revile US
Happy birthday, Abe _ here's a shiny new penny
China chemical plant explosion kills at least 3
7 plead not guilty to slaying Fla. couple at home
Marine mission to protect Afghans slows progress
Pakistan pounds Taliban commander's bases, 12 die
LA man convicted of mom's murder freed from prison
Taiwan deploys extra troops, anger over rescue grows
Taiwanese hauled to safety across raging river
Pakistan helicopter gunships kill 11 Taliban
India, Southeast Asian bloc sign free trade deal
Pakistan's forex reserves rise to $11.85 bln
Legendary guitarist, inventor Les Paul dies, age 94
| Entertainment
|
Rings director Peter Jackson moves on to District 9
| Entertainment
|
Mike Tyson says in denial over daughter's death
| Entertainment
|
Jackson estate expected to balloon by $200 million
| Entertainment
|
Character actor John Quade dies at 71
Indonesia police find new bomb cache
Dan Tyminski Band leads bluegrass nominees
Pop star Teddy Afro freed from jail in Ethiopia
| Entertainment
|
`Mortgage Meltdown' tackles housing market slump
Jackson's glittery moonwalk glove to be auctioned
Organizers drop plan to change Emmys format
| Entertainment
|
Maoists' fall brings Miss Nepal back to life
Israelis, Palestinians play Beethoven's 'Fidelio' in Salzburg
Decline in Asian travel seen slowing: Abacus
German fashion label Escada declares bankruptcy
Spain approves pay digital TV
A cup of tea really does help in a crisis: study
Israeli military says all troops accounted for
11 killed in attack in Russia's Dagestan region: reports
Karzai rival tells huge crowd Afghan race not over
| International
|
IE 8 is Microsoft's champion in browser wars
Millions of salmon fail to turn up in Canada
Troop rise in Afghanistan still option for US: Gates
US study uncovers powerful anti-cancer compound
Taiwan leader says more than 500 dead in typhoon
| International
|
Volkswagen, Porsche seal merger deal: companies
U.S. video game sales down 29 percent in July: report
Climate change fueling forest fires in Europe: Greenpeace
IMF provides $250 bln cushion against global crisis
Microsoft courts Macintosh business crowd
Iran candidate says prisoners tortured to death
Exploding iPhone incident follows iPod reports
N.Korea says door always open to U.S. for talks
| International
|
112 jobs cut at San Diego newspaper
EU strengthens Myanmar sanctions over Suu Kyi trial
| International
|
Seven women shot dead in Russian sauna
| International
|
18 killed in Iraq suicide bombing
Les Paul, guitar revolutionary, dies at 94: company
Asian Web connections set to resume by end of Thursday
Australia PM says no intention to call snap poll
| International
|
Germany, France lead march out of recession
U.S. to resume training Georgian army
| International
|
U.S. video game sales down 29 percent in July: report
| Technology
|
Deadline for U.S. broadband grants, loans extended
| Technology
|
Asian Web connections set to resume by end of Thursday
| Technology
|
Senior China official calls for social stability
Microsoft, Nokia form alliance to rival RIM
| Technology
|
Bill Clinton: GOP promotes fear over health care
Taiwan leader says more than 500 dead in typhoon
Runaway Christian convert claims life is in danger
Hyundai boss extends NKorea visit after worker freed
Several wildfires scorch Calif. as thousands flee
UN fails to agree tough response to Suu Kyi verdict
San Francisco area rail union sets Monday strike
Australia PM says no intention to call snap poll
U.S. to resume training Georgian army
Indian teen shines, Austrian pair leave in fear
U.S. sees growing backing for N.Korea sanctions
Defense gives judge murderer's written confession
Controversial Internet filter optional, says top Chinese official
Obama's aunt: The president was born in Hawaii
Lee and Kiradech share Queen's Cup lead
17 indicted in San Diego murder-kidnap ring
US defends plan to use Colombian military bases
New lead limits big concern for small businesses
SKorea court convicts ex-Samsung boss over bond deals
District 9 touches down
| Entertainment
|
Korean Air swings to net profit in Q2
Toronto fest adds Portman, Bening films to lineup
| Entertainment
|
Guitar heroes in tune for Loud music documentary
| Entertainment
|
Offshore holdings of NZ govt debt fell in July
Online news venture says over 500 publications sign up
Taiwan dollar up for 2nd straight day on stock gains
Polish nationalists blast planned Madonna concert
| Entertainment
|
President: Indonesia must unite against terrorism
Korean Air swings to Q2 net profit, misses f'cast
Indonesia president
Seoul shares rise as techs, banks advance
Writer McQuarrie tapped for Wolverine sequel
| Entertainment
|
Meat Loaf, Ace Frehley to lead rock fantasy camp
| Entertainment
|
S.Korean bonds rebound on weak U.S. data
Mariah Carey returns to studio, delays album again
| Entertainment
|
Seoul shares rise after U.S. gains, N.Korea news
WRAPUP 1-NZ retail sales post first rise in 2 years in Q2
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Toronto fest adds Portman, Bening films to lineup
Timor gears up for gruelling cycle race challenge
Jeremy Piven can't sell "The Goods"
Meat Loaf, Ace Frehley to lead rock fantasy camp
Scientists link gene to time spent sleeping
Aerosmith cancels summer tour after Tyler's fall
Burger beefs up business at Montana restaurant
NBC's `Meet the Press' retakes Sunday lead
Polish nationalists blast planned Madonna concert
Reformers call for probe of Iran supreme leader
Merkel, Medvedev meet on struggling German firms
Libyan drops second appeal over Lockerbie bombing
| International
|
US-TECH Summary
Vote school for illiterate Afghans
Eurozone prices mark record fall in July: EU
Asian-backed consortium eyes British Land deal: report
Medvedev rules out better ties with Ukraine's leader
| International
|
Medvedev, Merkel talk economy, human rights
| International
|
Recession-hit Spain sees drop in migrants
| International
|
Palestinian Fatah elects new party assembly
| International
|
CORRECTED: Medvedev, Merkel condemn Chechnya killings
| International
|
Somalia tells all visitors to seek government approval
| International
|
Remote Russian region builds on billionaire's legacy
| International
|
Hardline Iran cleric urges tough stance on detainees
| International
|
Gingrich & Sharpton work with Duncan on education
Lockerbie bomber drops appeal against conviction: lawyers
Clinton: US sent 'tough love' message to Africa
U.S. senator in Myanmar, may meet junta leader
SC Gov. Sanford goes to Fla. for reserve duty
2 rockets fired at Kabul airport; no casualties
Residents on edge as 9 women vanish from NC city
China 'sacks nuclear chief' over graft probe
U.S. business welcomes Obama export control review
| Technology
|
HK finds 2nd Tamiflu-resistant swine flu case
Archie-Veronica wedding story line irks collector
Indonesian leader defiant in face of 'assassination' plot
The Nation's Weather
In India swine flu panic spreads faster than virus
China executes ex-lawmaker for rape, gang crimes
Family to bury remains of lost pilot in Fla.
Hong Kong emerges from recession
States shelving US Capitol statues for new models
S. Korean firm to open major dog cloning centre
Police say avalanche in New Zealand kills 1 skier
S.Korean court convicts ex-Samsung boss
Hong Kong recession ends as economy grows 3.3 pct
Korean Air notches net profit in second quarter
Typhoon disrupts Asia Internet, telephone service
Man Group sells MF Global stake to Japan's Nomura
Chinese carrier in talks with Apple on iPhone
Court says ex-Samsung boss guilty over bond deal
SKorean festival to honor HK director Johnnie To
Archie-Veronica wedding story line irks collector
Hong Kong economy grew in 2Q, ending recession
China sacks nuclear chief over graft probe: report
In divided Lebanon, farmers' market a model of unity
Late-night wars heat up in countdown to Leno
| Entertainment
|
Late-night wars heat up in countdown to "Leno"
Writer McQuarrie tapped for "Wolverine" sequel
Ahead of the curve: US kid embarks on good news dream
Latest 'Big Brother' houseguest dropped
Paris penthouses for busy bees
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights