As millions of Afghans are preparing to vote in the country’s third presidential election after the fall of the Taliban in 2001, the Acting Defense Minister Assadullah Khalid on Wednesday stated that operations are underway to secure the polls.

The Afghan forces are currently on the offensive against militants; the operations will continue even after the election, said Khalid.

“The operations are underway countrywide,” Khalid said.

Two MPs told TOLOnews on Wednesday that the security situation still remains uncertain in some parts of the country ahead of the September 28 elections.

“We shared this issue with Kunduz officials and told them that if we want a real election, a widespread election, and an election which will allow all the people to participate in it, we should pay attention to the security of the process,” said Fatima Aziz, an MP from Kunduz.

“The security of the election should be ensured all over the country so that people will vote in a safe environment and decide on the political future of the country,” said Iqbal Safi, an MP from Kapisa.

According to the Ministry of Interior, up to 72,000 members of the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces will be deployed on the election day to ensure the security of the process.

Moreover, almost 20,000 to 30,000 forces will be available as reinforcements.