Afghanistan prepares for 2010 Parliamentary Election

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KABUL, Sept 17, 2010: President Hamid Karzai along with his deputies Mahmad Qasim Fahim and Karim Khalili addresses the nation at the Presidential Palace on Friday, a day before the country's second parliamentary election. Karzai appealed the nation

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A police officer signals a civilian car to stop at a checkpoint for a search in the Botkhat district of Kabul province. Extra ordinary security measures have been taken in Kabul city ahead of the Sept. 18 parliamentary election. Kabul, Afghanistan.

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KANDAHAR CITY (PAN): The threats and pamphlets of militants, who distributed against Saturday's election, would have no effect on the polling process. A copy of night letter distributed by Taliban fighters ahead of election. Bashir Ahmad Naadem

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HERAT CITY, Sept 17, 2010: A member of the Afghan National Police force stands at a checkpoint in western Herat province.

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HERAT CITY, Sept 17, 2010: A photo of a Wolesi Jirga candidate, Safiulllah Mujaddidi, who was abducted by Taliban on Thursday from the western province of Herat.

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KAB UL, Sept 17, 2010: Police search a man at a checkpoint in the Chaman-i-Hozori area of Kabul city to ensure security ahead of Saturday's parliamentary election. Special security arrangements have been put in place in the capital to provide residen

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HERAT CITY, Sept 17, 2010: Afghan National Police members stand on a road in western Herat province.

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HERAT CITY, Sept 17, 2010: Press conference on police and Afghan army forces in the western province of Herat.

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KANDAHAR CITY (PAN): The threats and pamphlets of militants, who distributed against Saturday's election, would have no effect on the polling process. An official shows the letter that has been spread by anti-government Taliban fighters. Bashir Ahmad

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KANDAHAR CITY, Sept 16, 2010: A female parliamentary candidate, Nafisa Tokhi, explains to the media why she pulled out the parliamentary election.

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KANDAHAR CITY, Sept 16, 2010: The threats and pamphlets of militants, who distributed against Saturday's election, would have no effect on the polling process. Officials address a news conference regarding the threat of Taliban fighters. Bashir Ahmad

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TIRINKOT (PAN): Uruzgan governor, Khudai Rahim, talks to the media outlets regarding the demonstration against Quran burning in this central province. He said that the demonstration was ended and an investigation was conducted about the issue. Ahmad

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Afghanistan prepars for 2010 Parliamentary election. More than 2500 candidates are campaigning for 449 seats in Afghanistan’s lower house of parliament, the Wolesi Jirga, The election is schedule for Saturday, September 18, 2010.

More than 2500 candidates are campaigning for 449 seats in Afghanistan’s lower house of parliament, the Wolesi Jirga, The election is schedule for Saturday, September 18, 2010.

There are about 10 million voters in Afghanistan. The UN estimates that some six million will head to one of the 6000 polling stations across the country. More than 280,000 Afghan soldiers and police are being deployed nationwide, backed by 150,000 foreign troops currently stationed in Afghanistan.

The election is viewed internationally as a test of President Hamid Karzai’s control of the 34 provinces that make up Afghanistan. At a press conference today Karzai told reporters that he hoped voters would turn out to the polls despite Taliban threats.

In a statement released earlier this week, insurgents suggested they have plans to disrupt what they called “an American process” and urged Afghans to “Stick to Jihad.”

Corruption is another major concern. Last year’s presidential election was widely viewed to have been marred by fraud. President Karzia, Afghanistan's Independent Election Commission (IEC) and UN special envoy to Afghanistan, Staffan de Mistura, have acknowledged that the election likely "will not be perfect.”

Preliminary results are to be announced on 22 September, with the final results due on 31 October.