The Independent Election Commission (IEC) office in the east zone of the country on Tuesday said 113 voter registration centers in the eastern part of the country are under high security threat. 

According to IEC office, the increase in security and insurgents’ threats have caused the centers to become a high risk. 

These centers are located in Nangarhar, Laghman, Kunar and Nuristan provinces. 

In Nangarhar province, out of 157 voter registration centers, 48 of them are under high security threat. 

Out of the total 48 centers, 19 are located in Hesarak, 11 in Shirzad and 16 others are located in Pachir Agam, Haska Meena, Momand Dara and Nazian districts. 

“The only problem is security, if security is not maintained, people cannot participate in elections,” Farhad Kamalzai, a resident of Shirzad district said. 

“Elections will not be held in Hesarak and Ghaljai districts. We urge government to take steps in this regard and the people will be with you to hold elections here,” Nazar Mohammad, a resident of Nangarhar said. 

In Laghman province, there are 124 voter registration centers of which 38 are under high security threat. 

Twenty-five of the centers are located in Alingar, eight are located in Dawlat Shah and 10 other centers are under high security threat in Bad Pakh and Alishing districts. 

Kunar province government meanwhile said seven voter registration centers are under high security risk in the province. 

“In the areas where there are threats, we will establish outposts to mitigate threats,” Wahidullah Kalimzai, Kunar governor said. 

In Nuristan province also, 20 voter registration centers are under high security threat. These centers are located in Want Waigal, Kamdish and Norgram districts. 

Residents of the eastern province urged government to maintain security of the voter registration centers to enable people, especially women, to register their names and participate in the upcoming elections.