Afghan Scholars Call On People To Vote In Runoff

KABUL -- The Kabul-based Council of Scholars says its members will take part in the second round of the presidential election, RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan reports.

The conservative religious council also called on all Afghans to take part in the second poll.

Council member Mawlawi Qyamuddin Kashaf told reporters on October 27 that Afghan citizens should not be afraid to participate in the elections, despite threats from Islamist insurgents.

Kashaf said it is up to Afghans to take the next step and elect a president who will be able to solve Afghanistan's major problem, insecurity.

He said that a president elected by the will of the people can do that.

The Council of Scholars also called for the new president-to-be to hold talks with the Taliban.

Incumbent Hamid Karzai and Abdullah Abdullah will compete in the runoff election on November 7.