The United Nations envoy to Afghanistan says election-related violence is rising ahead of the April 5 presidential election.
Jan Kubis told the UN Security Council on March 17 that the level of poll-connected violence this year was lower than it was during Afghan elections in 2009 and 2010.
But he said attacks had been rising recently.
Kubis also said he was "gravely disturbed" by a Taliban threat to disrupt the election process by "unleashing a campaign of terror" attacks.
He urged Afghans to vote, saying, "Do not let spoilers and terrorists deprive you of your choice, of your future."
Nine candidates are running in the election to replace outgoing President Hamid Karzai, who has led Afghanistan since late 2001 following the toppling of the Taliban regime by U.S.-led forces.
Jan Kubis told the UN Security Council on March 17 that the level of poll-connected violence this year was lower than it was during Afghan elections in 2009 and 2010.
But he said attacks had been rising recently.
Kubis also said he was "gravely disturbed" by a Taliban threat to disrupt the election process by "unleashing a campaign of terror" attacks.
He urged Afghans to vote, saying, "Do not let spoilers and terrorists deprive you of your choice, of your future."
Nine candidates are running in the election to replace outgoing President Hamid Karzai, who has led Afghanistan since late 2001 following the toppling of the Taliban regime by U.S.-led forces.