A number of protesting candidates and their supporters in western Herat province on Sunday protested in the province and called for votes there to be recounted. 

The protesters gathered in front of the Herat governor's office and said if their voices are not heard, they will close highways and roads in the province. 

The protesting candidates said they want the votes of October 20 parliamentary elections of the province to be recounted by the election commission. 

“Activities of the government, president and the independent election commission have weakened people’s views on legitimacy of the government and the next parliament,” Shafiq Behrozeyan, a protesting candidate said.

“We agreed to close all the highways leading to Herat province,” Abdurrazaq Hakimi, another protester said.

“In total, the legitimacy of elections has been questioned,” said Soraya Sobhrang, a protesting candidate. 

Herat local officials meanwhile said they will convey the candidates' demands to the Independent Election Commission in Kabul. 

“Local officials will pass on all the demands of the protesters to officials in the central government in Kabul,” Mujib Rahman Faizi, deputy spokesman of Herat governor said. 

The Independent Electoral Complaint Commission in Herat meanwhile said after assessing elections complaints, changes will happen at the final results of Herat’s parliamentary elections. 

The preliminary results of elections have been announced in the province, but a number of candidates want the votes to be recounted.