Taliban Issues Threat Before Afghan Election

With just a few days remaining before the presidential election in Afghanistan, Taliban operatives are trying to thwart voting by threatening to cut off the ink-stained fingers of those who go to the polls, according to Al Jazeera English. In Afghanistan, a finger marked with ink is a sign that one has voted.  —KA

Al Jazeera English:

Fingers stained with ink, the sign of having cast a vote, will also be hacked off, the warning said.

The AFP news agency reported another leaflet, distributed in Kandahar city, as saying: “This is to inform respected residents that you must not participate in the elections so as not to become a victim of our operations, because we will use new tactics.”

The text began with a verse from the Koran urging Muslims not to seek friendship and co-operation with enemies of Islam.

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AP / Saurabh Das

Prelude to an election: Early morning traffic in Kabul passes by the defaced poster of a candidate in the upcoming presidential elections.