The Independent Election Commission (IEC) officials in Paktia said at least 29 voter registration centers have remained closed in the province due to security threats.

The officials said among those areas is Zurmat district where only four centers are operative.

“Some voter registration centers are closed in Paktia due to security threats. We continue our efforts to reopen some centers in Zurmat and other districts,” said Mohammad Zahir Akbari, head of IEC in Paktia.

Paktia governor Shamim Khan Katawazi meanwhile stressed the need for conducting military operations to ensure the safety of voter registration process and upcoming parliamentary election.

“Voter registration process was stopped in Zurmat district for some days, but it is ongoing in other parts of Paktia. Despite that, we succeeded to open four centers in Zurmat district,” he said.

Some residents of Paktia said people’s turnout is low in the voter registration process in the province due to security threats.

“People’s turnout in voter registration process in Paktia is accompanied with some threats therefore military operations should be launched to overcome the security threats and ensure a safe participation of people in the process,” said Gul Karim Sahar, a resident of Paktia. 

“There are security threats. These threats prevent people from participation in the voter registration process,” said Ezatullah, a resident of Paktia.

According to IEC statistics, more than 48,000 people have registered to vote in Paktia since the start of the process last month.