Helicopters Transport Ballot Boxes

Ballots, ballot boxes, and the soldiers who will protect them are to be airlifted by helicopters to remote and mountainous regions for the September 18 parliamentary election.

Afghan Air Force commander General Mohammad Dawran said that troops and supplies have already been sent to the northern and eastern regions, and will be sent to the west and south of the country by close of play on September 17.

Wayne Detwiler, deputy chief of operations for the International Security Assistance Force Joint Command, said foreign troops will work with Afghan forces to ensure safe voting centres.

This election is the second time in Afghan’s recent history that voters will be electing the Wolesi Jirga, the lower house of parliament. Women are guaranteed 25 per cent of the 249 elected positions.