​Security Remains Key Challenge For Afghan Vote

By RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan

Top Afghan election official said providing security will be the biggest challenge during the second round of the country's presidential election scheduled for June 14.

Yusuf Nuristani, the head of Afghanistan's Independent Election Commission said on May 19 the commission has told the government security measures for the upcoming vote needed to be "twice more" than the April 5 election.

Nuristani said militants will be in a better position – due to favorable weather – to launch attacks to disrupt the vote.

Nuristani said recruiting thousands of election workers poses another challenge, especially in remote areas.

Some 7 million Afghans voted on April 5 defying threats by Taliban militants.

Front-runners of the first round former Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah and former Finance Minister Ashraf Ghani will compete against each other in run-off.