Afghan Interior Minister Umer Daudzai has pledged to ensure a safe presidential vote next week, despite an escalating Taliban insurgency.
Afghan voters will choose a successor to President Hamid Karzai on April 5 in an election designed to mark the first democratic transfer of power in Afghanistan's history.
In an interview with Reuters on March 26, Daudzai said that "our enemies try to put pressure on us, to disrupt the election."
But he expressed confidence that the militants won't be able to derail the vote, adding: “There will be security, and people will come out and vote in a secure environment."
The Taliban has vowed to derail the vote with bombings and assassinations.
On March 25, Taliban suicide bombers and gunmen stormed an election-commission office in Kabul.
Ten people were killed, including five attackers.
Afghan voters will choose a successor to President Hamid Karzai on April 5 in an election designed to mark the first democratic transfer of power in Afghanistan's history.
In an interview with Reuters on March 26, Daudzai said that "our enemies try to put pressure on us, to disrupt the election."
But he expressed confidence that the militants won't be able to derail the vote, adding: “There will be security, and people will come out and vote in a secure environment."
Read RFE/RL's Election Blog -- After Karzai
The Taliban has vowed to derail the vote with bombings and assassinations.
On March 25, Taliban suicide bombers and gunmen stormed an election-commission office in Kabul.
Ten people were killed, including five attackers.