Security a concern in Afghanistan presidential, provincial elections

KABUL, Afghanistan, May 26 (UPI) -- Security issues are a main concern in Afghanistan's upcoming elections and voting centers will be opened only in safe areas, an official in Kabul said Sunday.

Voter enrollment began Sunday in the capital and Afghanistan provinces for the presidential and provincial council elections scheduled for April 5, Kabul's Khaama Press reported.

Approximately 41 voter enrollment centers have been established in 82 locations across the country, the report said.

Afghan independent election commission officials said eligible Afghans should get voting cards, and emphasized a free and fair election will be held.

"We are facing presidential and provincial elections next year and I emphasize that no one will be able to pass the elections through illegitimate and fraudulent voting," independent election commission chief Fazal Ahmad Manawi said.

Candidates' enrollment and electoral campaigns are scheduled to begin in August.

Manawi said in the event the election commission fails to prevent fraudulent voting in troublesome provinces, all ballots in those districts will be marked as void.