The Ministry of Interior (MoI) on Saturday said maintaining security at voter registration centers and polling stations was a priority for the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF). 

Interior minister Wais Ahmad Barmak said a number of districts in the country are insecure but that they have plans to maintain security in these areas. 

“Some polling stations are in areas with high security threats and we have special plans for those areas. In the second phase, we go to districts and villages, we will implement the plans and will open the centers,” Barmak said. 

President Ashraf Ghani also on Saturday asked the security departments to address security challenges in insecure areas. 

Ghani called on the Independent Election Commission (IEC) chief Abdul Badi Sayyad to draw up plans for areas that are at risk.  

“Sayyad! Special plans should be taken for those districts where security threats do not let us (open polling stations). It is necessary, because every citizen in the country who is eligible, should use their legal right,” Ghani said. 

A number of members of parliament however raised concerns over security threats.

“There is a lack of security; how can such a big national process like an election be managed?” asked MP Fakoori Behishti. 

“We have a very dangerous situation ahead and I urge that a good mechanism should be prepared,” MP Khalilullah Shahidzda said. 

7,000 voter registration centers and polling stations have been identified across the country of which over 1,000 of them face security threats. 

Earlier this week the IEC said the voter registration process will be broken up into three phases.

In the first phase, those eligible to vote can register at IEC offices in provincial centers from April 14 to May 12.

In the second phase, which starts from May 15 and continues through to May 28, the process will be carried out in the districts.

In the third phase, which starts from May 28 to June 22, the voter registration process will be carried out in remote regions of the country. 

The IEC has estimated the cost of the voter registration process will be $30 million USD and it has hired over 11,000 people for the duration of the registration process.

The IEC and the government have earmarked 7,300 polling centers across the country, however, nearly 1,000 of these centers are located in areas out of government’s control.