Preparations started for Afghan elections

KABAL, Afghanistan, July 20 (UPI) -- Preparations are under way for August elections in Afghanistan, including ensuring enough security, the biggest challenge, the United Nations said Monday.

"There will be no let up on behalf of the international community in underlining the importance of security over the coming weeks so every Afghan who has the constitutional and democratic right to vote is provided with that opportunity on polling day," Aleem Siddique, spokesperson for the U.N. assistance mission in Afghanistan, said in a news relief.

"Security is imperative for the forthcoming elections," Siddique said. "Voters must have confidence that they can vote without fear, without intimidation and in safety."

Forty-one candidates are running for president, while more than 3,000 Afghans are vying for provincial council seats during the Aug. 20 elections.

Thousands of ballot papers arrived in Kabul during the weekend, the United Nations said.

"As we speak, 17 million ballot papers are being transported, across the country, to every province, in a safe and secure manner," he noted, adding that "these are all encouraging signs that bode well for the coming weeks as we approach polling day."

More than 1,600 civic educators are briefing voters about the election process, while a toll-free elections hot line is answering 30,000 to 40,000 calls a week, Siddique said.