Taliban threaten to block Afghanistan elections
Taliban spokesperson issues a statement warning Afghan people not to participate in April's presidential polls.
MAZAR-I SHARIF, Afghanistan
In a warning to voters to boycott the presidential polls to be held on April 5 in Afghanistan, the Taliban plans to stage attacks to sabotage participation, said Taliban's spokesperson.
Qari Yousuf Ahmadi, the spokesperson, issued a statement on Monday, saying the Taliban called on its militants to stage offensives at polling centers, at voters and security forces in order to block the polls.
Stating that this poll is a symbolic one in which the replacement of President Hamid Karzai has already been determined, Ahmadi said the U.S. government is trying to enslave the Afghan people, and warned them not to be deceived.
Meanwhile, the Interior Ministry of the country stated the necessary precautions have been taken to provide security during the polls, adding that the Taliban will not be allowed to intervene.
However, officials said that polls will not be held in 62 districts across the country for security reasons.
In 2009, the Taliban held attacks during the presidential polls in Afghanistan, killing 30 civilians and 26 soldiers.
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