KABUL - So far 48 likely presidential candidates have obtained information kits on elections, but no one has been registered yet, the Independent Election Commission (’IEC) said on Saturday.

IEC Secretary Ziaul Haq Amarkhel told reporters in Kabul another 1,885 individuals, including 27 women, had received information kits and 246 of them had submitted nomination papers for provincial council elections, slated for April 5, 2014.

Those having obtained information kits on presidential elections included two women, he said, adding no candidate had registered his/her name to contest the presidential vote.

“We are concerned because conditions for contesting the upcoming presidential election are tough for candidates this time around and they will also need time for electioneering,” Amarkhel remarked.

Registration of candidates for the presidential and provincial council elections began five days ago, a process that would continue till October 6.

Amarkhel said so far 1.4 million people had been issued voter registration cards, with women constituting 400,000 of them.

Registration centres remained open from 8am to 4pm and every Thursday from 8am to 1pm, saying the voter registration in districts and provincial capitals would continue till Oct. 5 and then existing officials would be divided into mobile teams to conduct the process in villages. (Pajhwok)