KABUL -- Candidates in Afghanistan's presidential election have canceled their appearances in all televised debates scheduled for this week because of growing insecurity in Kabul.
RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan (RFA) and Ariana TV, a private television channel, had organized debates for April 1 and 2, respectively.
But both organizations received notifications on March 31 from the campaign teams of the invited candidates that they would not be attending.
Abdullah Abdullah, Ashraf Ghani, and Zalmai Rasul -- the three front-runners in the April 5 vote -- were expected to take part in RFA's televised debate.
Each cited insecurity and unavailability for their last-minute cancellations.
Violence has escalated around Afghanistan ahead of the April 5 poll, which the Taliban has vowed to disrupt.
Kabul has seen a series of deadly Taliban attacks in recent weeks.
The candidates have already participated in a number of televised debates.
RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan (RFA) and Ariana TV, a private television channel, had organized debates for April 1 and 2, respectively.
But both organizations received notifications on March 31 from the campaign teams of the invited candidates that they would not be attending.
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Abdullah Abdullah, Ashraf Ghani, and Zalmai Rasul -- the three front-runners in the April 5 vote -- were expected to take part in RFA's televised debate.
Each cited insecurity and unavailability for their last-minute cancellations.
Violence has escalated around Afghanistan ahead of the April 5 poll, which the Taliban has vowed to disrupt.
Kabul has seen a series of deadly Taliban attacks in recent weeks.
The candidates have already participated in a number of televised debates.