Afghan Election Ballots Being Distributed

10 August 2005 (RFE/RL) -- The Afghan electoral body said today it has started transporting ballot materials throughout the country for the forthcoming parliamentary election scheduled for 18 September.
An official from the Joint Electoral Management Body, the JEMB, says distribution challenges are 10 times bigger compared to last year's presidential elections since twice as many ballot papers are being required.

About 40 million ballot papers and 135,000 ballot boxes will be delivered across Afghanistan.

JEMB officials say the distribution plan includes the use of cargo planes, helicopters and trucks, and in remote regions, the use of donkeys.

The 18 September parliamentary election is the first legislative election to be held in the country after nearly 30 years of armed conflict.

The Afghan National Army and Police, U.S.-led coalition forces, and the NATO-International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) have expressed their commitment to provide a secure environment for the election.

(dpa)

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