Afghanistan Delays Presidential Election

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Source: CNN

KABUL, Afghanistan (CNN) -- Afghanistan is postponing its presidential elections until August 20 due to security and logistical concerns, the country's election commission said Thursday.

The balloting was originally scheduled for late May, but the independent election commission laid out several reasons for the delay.

Security is a factor, the commission said. It also cited a lack of trained staff, incomplete voter registration and the weather.

It is difficult to campaign or distribute ballots during the rough winter months in the rugged landscape.

The elections are a critical moment for Afghanistan as President Hamid Karzai's five-year term ends. He was elected in December 2004 in largely peaceful polling.

But since then, the Taliban militant movement has regrouped, international troop deaths have increased and there has been an increase in terror attacks, mostly in eastern and southern Afghanistan.

Afghanistan has already registered 3 million voters and is holding voter drives to register more.

The United States will deploy additional troops in coming months to provide much-needed security in the run-up to the election.

The country expects to hold parliamentary elections in 2010.

more: http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/01/29/afghanistan.election/