KABUL - President Karzai, on Friday issued a "Decree" containing 13 provisions to ensure safety of the employees of the Independent Election Commission (IEC) and voters' registration centers. While issuing the Presidential Decree, Karzai ordered the Ministry of Interior (MoI) to induct more number of females in the police forces and deploy them at the voters' registration centers dedicated for women. Karzai stressed that this move will encourage wider female participation in the next spring's elections.

The decision of issuing a Decree was taken after an IEC employee was killed in Kunduz province and two other employees were kidnapped. Through the Decree Karzai ordered all the security institutions to ensure protection of the employees of the IEC.

Meanwhile, the MoI assured Karzai saying that it is putting in all efforts to maintain security during the Election Day.

Some of the provisions in the Presidential Decree are as follows:

• The Ministries of Defense, Interior and National Directorate of Security must take security measures for ensuring security of the employees, main and provincial offices of the Independent Election Commission, voters' registration centers, voting and vote counting centers, so that the Presidential and Provincial Councils' elections are held without any challenge.
• The Ministries of Defense, Interior and National Directorate of Security must cooperate with the Independent Elections Commission.
• The Ministry of Interior is obliged to deploy female police officers at the female voters' registration centers and polling booths for widespread participation of women in the upcoming elections.

In the Decree, Karzai also emphasized that the Afghan forces must maintain their neutrality during the elections and must not use the government resources in favor of any candidate. President Karzai also ordered the security forces to treat the supervisor, observers and media properly during the election time.

Sediq Siddiqi, the spokesman of the MoI, assured Karzai that the Ministry will maintain a peaceful environment during the Election Day. Mr. Siddiqi further added that more number of female police personnel would be deployed in the coming days.

"The Afghan forces will put in all efforts to maintain security during the elections. We have already started the preparations in this regard. The MoI will deploy female police personnel in the registration centers and polling booths," said Mr. Siddiqi.

Once again Zia-ul Haq Amarkhil, the head of the IEC Secretariat, cited insecurity as a major challenge to conduct the upcoming elections in a free, fair and transparent manner. Mr. Amarkhil urged the security institutions to provide protection to the employees of the IEC, voters' registration centers and polling booths.

"Growing insecurity is a major challenge for holding elections. We are extremely concerned about it. Two of our employees are still being held hostage by the kidnappers. We hope that the security officials will pay attention and fight the challenges," said Mr. Amarkhil. (Tolo News)