Karzai asks youth to cast ballot in presidential poll

Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai Monday called upon his countrymen to use their right to vote in the upcoming presidential elections, set for April 5, 2014.

"I am calling upon all Afghans to use their suffrage in the upcoming elections. I am calling upon all those Afghans who are 18 years old to obtain voting card and use it in the voting day," Xinhua quoted Karzai as saying.

"Using the right of franchise determines the destination of the country and takes the country towards welfare and stability," he said.

Karzai also called on foreigners not to interfere in the electoral process.

He made the call a day after the deadline passed for registration of presidential candidates and provincial councils' members.

The registration period, set for Sep 16-Oct 6 was wrapped up late Sunday night during which 27 politicians including a woman, registered for the presidential poll, election commission officials said. In the provinces, 2,327 persons including 240 women, registered to stand for the council polls.