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Afghanistan delays parliamentary elections in southern Kandahar province by a week after a dishonest bodyguard shot down regional strongman Abdul Raziq and killed or wounded most of the country's political and security leaders Province.
The city was tense and calm Friday, usually the busiest day of the Afghan weekend, while the remaining rulers were organizing the funeral and burial of a man who for years had defined the city.
Raziq had improved security in Kandahar and had often made it to the frontline to directly fight the Taliban. This military feat makes him a prime target for insurgents and popular with many pro-government Afghans.
"The people here are very quiet," said Yousef Youniai, a member of the provincial council. "A shadow of sorrow hovers over the city, there is no one in the street, and if you talk to people, they start crying."
But he has also been accused of corruption and gross human rights violations, and the UN has demanded that he be prosecuted for torture and enforced disappearances.
His death is expected to cause more instability in southern Afghanistan, analysts warned, as he had accumulated powers and authority going against his official title of chief of police provincial.
Thomas Ruttig of the network of Afghan analysts wrote: "To support a single charismatic, if brutal individuals maintain order will always leave the Afghan state vulnerable if that individual is killed.
"The reign of Raziq led the uprising, but also contained it."
The postponement of the legislative elections scheduled for Saturday will make Kandahar the second province where the elections will not take place. Officials had previously said that there would be no vote in East Ghazni.
The Taliban, who claimed responsibility for the killing of Raziq, condemned the elections and pledged to disrupt them. About 54,000 members of the police and army have been deployed to protect the vote, but insurgent attacks have already hit campaigns.
So far, 10 candidates have been killed in attacks shortly before the polls, and hundreds of civilians have been killed or injured. Security concerns mean that more than a quarter of Afghanistan's 7,355 polling stations will not open on Saturday.
In the poorly secured urban areas, especially in the capital, Kabul, the vote has sparked enthusiasm despite violence and chronic corruption. Many candidates are young, educated and run for the first time, promising to make changes to a corrupt system.
But the delay in voting in a city that is the cultural and political heart of southern Afghanistan, which was the cradle of the Taliban, will seriously undermine credibility.
This is particularly damaging for the government this year, as polls are supposed to be a test for even more high-stakes presidential polls, which are expected to be held next year. Even if the October 20 vote goes smoothly, security forces will face a second test next week when they will try to hold the postponed vote in Kandahar.
"It was a good decision to postpone the election at that time. This is an emergency situation here, "said the Guardian Bashir, a resident of the city. "No one is missing. Cars and motorcycles are banned in the city, security forces are very present and in some places they have blocked roads.
Raziq's funeral prayers were held at the city's most sacred shrine, supposed to hold the mantle of the Prophet Muhammad, while the governor of the province and other officials fought to stay in the hospital.
The gunman was shot dead on the scene, but the Interior Ministry announced the arrest of three more people, as details of the attack surfaced.
The attacker opened fire at the end of a meeting as delegates gathered for a group photo, according to an Associated Press television cameraman.
Everyone dispersed and US participants rushed to their helicopter, but when Afghan police tried to stop them, a shootout broke out, the reporter said.
In Kabul, the US-based general in Afghanistan has been on the streets talking to Afghan troops to cheer or perhaps dispel rumors circulating on the Internet that he too would have been severely affected. during the attack.
"It was a very close confined space. But I do not think I'm the target, "said General Austin Scott Miller at the Afghan TV channel Tolo.
"We will continue our support. My message to the Afghan people has been very consistent: you have every right to be proud of your security forces and the preparations for this election despite this unfortunate and tragic event in Kandahar. "
In Kandahar, anger erupted when security prevented mourners from reaching Raziq's funeral and some officials demanded that his brother be immediately appointed to replace him as head of the provincial police force.
"After much discussion aloud, they decided to start the funeral and talk about the general's brother tomorrow," said local MP Khalid Pashtoon.
"The delay was a good decision because some people lost confidence in themselves, not only because of [Raziq’s] death, but also because the Taliban issued leaflets in some places to warn the people against the elections. And this week will provide a good time to restore that confidence. "
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