Islam Times - Afghanistan's presidential election kicks off despite Taliban threat

Islam Times - A spokesman for the Afghan Election Commission announced that the polling stations opened their doors on Saturday across Afghanistan to elect the President of the country, despite the Taliban warning against voting.

"The vote has started all over the country," the spokesman said, although the Taliban had warned some 9.6 million voters not to approach polling stations.

The elections are at risk of violence, especially as the Taliban have recently launched a series of suicide attacks on campaign headquarters, election rallies and other presidential-related targets.

On September 5, a truck bombing in Kabul killed at least 12 people. Earlier, the Taliban issued a statement reiterating their threats that the life of each voter was threatened.

"We intend to disrupt this fraudulent operation of the American invaders and some of their followers by attacking all security elements and targeting polling stations and centers." they added.

The statement warned Afghans to "stay away from polling stations on election day and not to endanger themselves."