UN urges Afghans to defy rebels & vote

Security is high following a warning by the ousted Taliban regime that civilians could be hurt if they go to the polls, and after a spike in violence including the killing of a seventh candidate on Thursday.

But enthusiasm is palpable amongst the nearly 12.5 million people who are expected to cast their ballots at around 26,000 polling booths from 6:00 am (0130 GMT) Sunday.

The United Nations yesterday urged Afghans to defy rebel violence and turn out in large numbers to vote in landmark legislative elections. Fierce battles near the capital and elsewhere killed nine militants and three policemen.

Security forces said they thwarted three huge rebel bombings, underscoring fears for Sunday's vote that many hope will marginalize insurgents and bolster a fragile democracy.

Top UN envoy Jean Arnault said extremists had failed to disrupt preparations for the polls, despite fighting that has killed more than 1,200 people in the past six months, including seven candidates and four election workers.

"We are very confident that those extremists will also fail to disrupt and derail voting day," Arnault told reporters.

Chief election organizer Bismillah Bismil appealed to voters to participate and not be "intimidated or frightened" by the threats of more bloodshed.

Their comments came a day after the Taliban called for a boycott of the polls. They said they would not attack civilians going to vote, but would target areas where US-led coalition forces were deployed and advised people to avoid such places.