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Afghanistan preparing for parliamentary elections

The upcoming Oct 20 elections will see 2,565 candidates vying for seats in the 249-member lower house of parliament, including 417 women candidates, while five candidates have been killed in separate attacks.

The parliamentary polls, originally set to be held in early 2015 following presidential elections, were repeatedly delayed.

The Taliban issued a statement Monday condemning the polls and warning candidates and Afghan Security Forces that they would be targets if they participate in the elections. The announcement may result in citizens' discredit on the polls as they worried the election had been tainted by corruption and violence.