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Graphic shows Taliban and Islamic State (IS) control of the country and number of civilian casualties from January to September, 2009-18.
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POLITICS

Afghans set to elect new parliament amid fraud and violence

By Jordi Bou

October 20, 2018 - Millions of Afghans are expected to vote in a long-delayed parliamentary election that has been hampered by chaotic preparations, allegations of fraud and ever-present violence.

Around 8.9 million voters have registered themselves to cast ballots at 21,011 polling stations.

The Afghan election commission says 2,565 candidates are battling for the 249 seats in the Wolesi Jirga (House of the people).

With Taliban insurgents controlling about one-third of the country, thousands being killed in the fighting and doubts about the success of the U.S. strategy to force the rebels to accept peace talks by stepping up air strikes, the credibility of the Western-backed government is at stake.

At least 8,050 Afghan civilians were killed or wounded in the first nine months of 2018, the United Nations says. The figure, roughly in line with the same period a year earlier, underlines how dire the security situation remains.

The vote is only the third parliamentary election since the 2001 U.S. invasion of the country.

Sources
PUBLISHED: 16/10/2018; STORY: Graphic News
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