The anti-government militant group Taliban in Afghanistan has declared that it intends to obstruct the country's presidential election next month.
The Taliban issued a statement on Tuesday criticizing the election planned for September 28.
It called the election a sham and said it was being held to deceive the public and to satisfy the egos of politicians who are backed by foreign forces.
The militant group also said it will mobilize fighters to stop voting using every means possible, and called for people to stay away from gatherings and rallies.
Afghanistan's presidential election is held once every five years.
Campaigning is under way across the country, with 18 candidates in the running including President Ashraf Ghani, Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, and former national security advisor Mohammad Haneef Atmar.
Terror attacks and assaults by the Taliban have been reported across the country since campaigning started last month.
On July 28, an assassination attempt was made on President Ghani's running mate in the nation's capital Kabul.
NHK
