Taliban’s threats to disrupt voting go unnoticed in Helmand

LASHKARGAH (Pajhwok): Officials and residents of southern Helmand on Saturday rejected Taliban’s claims that some polling stations stayed closed in Nawa and Grishk districts of the province due to insecurity.

The Taliban in a statement said polling stations in Nawa district’s Sarkhadoz, Gernamo, Narai Zabar, Trekh Zabar, Zar Sabib, Namro, Takano Godar and Tolo Bawaraio localities could not be opened due security threats the rebels posed.

Similarly, voting did not take place in polling stations in Adam Khan, Shorakai, QalaGuzar, Haidarabad, Mirandab, Zamboli, Syedano, Nawroz, NahraSeraj, Desminar Bawario, Malger, Ab Pashak and Manda localities of Grishk district.

But Helmand Governor Mohammad Yasin Khan said polling stations in all districts were open and people went there to cast their votes.

“The Taliban have lost their direction, they want to create tension through propaganda, nothing as such has happened and polling stations are open.”

Grishk Police Chief Col. Abdul Basir Achakzai told Pajhwok Afghan News no polling station was shut due to Taliban’s threats in the province. “The Taliban have threatened no one nor they have shut polling stations here,” he added.

Helmand IEC Chief Ahmad Javid told Pajhwok Afghan News the voting kicked off at 7:00 today and was underway without problem.He admitted technical problems but rejected Taliban’s threat led to closure of any polling station.

Niazuddin Kaliwal

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