A source from the Independent Election Commission (IEC) said on Wednesday that only one company met the deadline in terms of quoting for the $16 million USD contract for electronic equipment needed to hold elections.

This comes after reports emerged on Tuesday that the National Procurement Authority (NPA) hand-picked 13 companies and asked them for quotes on electronic equipment for the IEC.

A suicide bomber reportedly detonated his explosives at the southern gate of Bagram Airbase in Parwan province on Wednesday evening.

Interior Ministry spokesman Najib Danish says the explosion was carried out by a suicide bomber riding a motorbike.