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Taliban Threaten to Mutilate Afghan Voters

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 17, 2009 6:38 AM CDT

(Newser) – Hamid Karzai's battle for reelection on Thursday is facing a significant hurdle: threats by the Taliban to mutilate anyone who shows up at the polls. Insurgents are strongest in Pashtun regions, normally a Karzai stronghold, and in one town a group of Taliban fighters told citizens anyone who votes will have his finger chopped off. "We can't vote. Everybody knows it," one farmer told Dexter Filkins of the New York Times.

Five years ago the Taliban largely let the election proceed, but this time intimidation has been so considerable that many Afghans have failed to register to vote. And even for the few voters willing to risk mutilation, many would have to walk miles up bomb-strewn unpaved roads to reach the ballot box. In volatile Helmand province, officials have not even bothered to set up polling places. "It's too insecure," lamented one Marine commander.

Afghan youths hold a poster of President Hamid Karzai, a presidential candidate in the upcoming presidential election, during a rally in support of Karzai in Jalalabad.
Afghan youths hold a poster of President Hamid Karzai, a presidential candidate in the upcoming presidential election, during a rally in support of Karzai in Jalalabad.   (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)
Afghans attend an election campaign in support of President Hamid Karzai in the upcoming presidential election.
Afghans attend an election campaign in support of President Hamid Karzai in the upcoming presidential election.   (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)
Afghan President Hamid Karzai adjusts his cap as he attends ceremonies while opening the Jumhuriat Hospital in Kabul.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai adjusts his cap as he attends ceremonies while opening the Jumhuriat Hospital in Kabul.   (AP Photo/Saurabh Das)
United States Marines move through a compound in the village of Dahaneh during a raid Saturday in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan.
United States Marines move through a compound in the village of Dahaneh during a raid Saturday in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan.   (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
Elders from the village of Daheneh listen as Afghan National Army Capt. Bahader Khan talks Friday about fighting against the Taliban insurgency in Helmand province.
Elders from the village of Daheneh listen as Afghan National Army Capt. Bahader Khan talks Friday about fighting against the Taliban insurgency in Helmand province.   (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 4 comments
BeatBlaster
Aug 18, 2009 4:52 AM CDT
Neither do I. That's a rough life they live out there for sure.
ChickenChopper
Aug 17, 2009 12:36 PM CDT
sick how easy it is to liken the taliban to anyone who's 'enforced' or 'supported' a jim crow law, i.e racist white america preventing blacks from voting....the taliban is not without precedent here....
Fondue
Aug 17, 2009 12:01 PM CDT
When will Afghani's grow a pair?

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