Afghan elections set for 2014

Afghanistan’s next presidential election will be held on April 5, 2014, the election commission said, in a vote seen as crucial for the future of the war-ravaged country.

Provincial elections will also be held on the same date, Independent Election Commission chief Fazel Ahmad Manawi said.

President Hamid Karzai is not allowed to run for a third term and has said he will not stay on after his current mandate ends. The previous presidential elections were marred by allegations of widespread fraud.

The vote is seen as crucial to the stability and security of Afghanistan as it coincides with the withdrawal of foreign combat troops, most of whom will be gone by the end of 2014.