Afghanistan military prepares to deal with security on Election Day

KABUL, Afghanistan, Jan. 11 (UPI) -- Security forces will be able to guard 96 percent of the election sites in Afghanistan this year, a spokesman for the Interior Ministry said Saturday.

That means 414 polling stations will be closed April 5, Khaama News reported.

The spokesman, Sediq Sediqi, said that shows a considerable improvement in the capabilities of the security forces since 900 of the 6,845 polling stations were closed in previous elections.

The country holds its presidential and provincial elections this year. Lt. Gen. Murad Ali Murad, head of the national army's ground forces, said military officials are planning operations to reduce security problems on Election Day.