HRW: Huge Violence Threatens Election

Insurgent attacks on candidates and poor government security protection risk severely Afghanistan's upcoming parliamentary poll, a statement by Human Rights Watch said on Thursday

Candidates, their campaigners and election officials face assassinations, kidnappings, and intimidation by insurgents as well as by rival candidates, the statement said.

Candidates, members of parliament and election officials have expressed concern to Human Right Watch on escalation of insecurity and corruption in the election, it said.

This is the second parliamentary election which is due on 18 September and Afghan security official have fully promised Afghan people of high security planning and their safety to vote for their favourite candidates.

"Taliban attacks and the broad lack of confidence in the Afghan government to conduct a secure election threatens its validity," said Rachel Reid, Afghanistan researcher at Human Right Watch.

"Insurgent violence, particularly against women candidates, was inevitable, but the government's weak response was not," he added.

Taliban have claimed responsibility for most of the killings and intimidation of candidates running for parliament seats, but rival candidates have also been called affiliated in these cases.

There are huge and serious allegations of government interference in campaigns in several provinces ahead of parliamentary poll which is to be held in nine days.