Afghans fear Taliban threat

KABUL, Afghanistan (AFP) — Ordinary Afghans are divided on whether to defy the Taliban’s threats and cast their ballots in a presidential election this week, and even those who are willing to vote fear the poll will be tainted by fraud.

“It is a chance to bring changes,” says teacher Mohsen Karimi, 30, from the western city of Herat near the Iranian border.

The country’s fourth presidential elections since the Taliban’s fall from power in 2001 will be held as increasing uncertainty grips the country.

Fighting between the government and insurgents is killing record numbers of people, while the collapse of US-Taliban talks earlier this month has raised fresh questions about how long Washington plans to keep troops on the ground.

Civilians continue to pay a heavy price in the nearly 18-year-long conflict.

More than 1,500 civilians were killed or wounded in July, according to the UN, the highest monthly toll this year.

The Taliban have already threatened to target the polls.

“In most areas, people cannot vote due to the Taliban threats. Even if a candidate is elected, it is not the absolute choice of all Afghans,” said Mohamad Qasim from the southern province of Kandahar.

Among the students, shopkeepers and teachers interviewed by AFP in Kabul and provinces across Afghanistan, several said they did not plan to vote on Saturday.

“I want to vote, but I’m scared,” said Samim from the eastern city of Jalalabad, which is frequently targeted by both the Taliban and Islamic State militants.