Afghans prepare for elections

AFGHANISTAN

09.15.2010

Story by Staff Sgt. Gary Witte 

Combined Joint Task Force 101

KUNAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Afghan officials in the Watapur District coordinated their security plans for the Sept. 18 elections with International Security Assistance Forces Sept. 15 to help prevent disruptions of the voting.

The Wednesday meeting at the Watapur District Center in eastern Afghanistan’s Kunar province brought together the district sub-governor, representatives from the local Afghan National Security Forces and U.S. Army soldiers from nearby bases

The Kunar District Sub-governor Mustafer Khan said he has encouraged area residents to participate and is hopeful for a good turnout. He noted there are numerous candidates in his district who are also asking voters to take part.

“It’s going to be a good one,” Khan said.

Key to this will be the efforts of ANSF, with Afghan police securing polling places and Afghan soldiers securing the areas around them. ISAF will provide help in a peripheral role, providing assistance at area security checkpoints and coming forward to support Afghan forces in case of insurgent attacks.

There are four polling places in the Watapur District, and ISAF recently provided Afghan police with additional defensive materials to protect the locations. The election will involve seats in the lower parliament.

“I think it’s going to be an important moment for Afghanistan,” U.S. Army Capt. Robert R. Reynolds of Huntsville, Ala., said.

Reynolds, who commands Company A, 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, Task Force Bulldog, at Combat Outpost Honaker-Miracle, said the election provides the Afghan public another chance to participate in their government.

Also present at the meeting was U.S. Army Capt. Thomas Whitfield of Kingstree, S.C., commander of Company B, 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, Task Force Bulldog, at Combat Outpost Able Main.

• Date Taken: 09.15.2010
• Date Posted: 09.17.2010 06:46
• Story ID: 56460
• Location: AF