"Despite violence and threats, Afghans show enthusiasm for upcoming election" PBS NewsHour 4/2/2014
Excerpt
HARI SREENIVASAN (NewsHour): Police were on high alert outside the interior ministry in Kabul, after a Taliban bomber, wearing a uniform, got past several checkpoints and blew himself up. Six officers were killed, the latest violence in the run-up to Saturday’s presidential election.
In just the past week, the Taliban staged four attacks, including one on the election commission headquarters. The militants also warned voters again today to steer clear of polling places on Election Day. But the head of the election commission urged voters not to be deterred.
MOHAMMAD YOUSUF NURISTANI, Head of Election Commission, Afghanistan (through interpreter): I announce that we are committed to hold the election, and I call on our honorable people to participate in big numbers and cast their vote for their favorite candidate. I ask our people to ignore the security threats and prove to the world and your enemy that we are not scared and ready to vote.
HARI SREENIVASAN: On the streets, it seems Afghans are indeed ready. Hundreds of thousands have turned up at campaign rallies. All told, 11 candidates are running to succeed President Hamid Karzai, who is barred from a third term by Afghan law.
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