- The attack will not deter Afghans from voting, says Afghanistan's chief executive Abdullah Abdullah
- The attack was the deadliest against the elections process since the launch of registration more than a week ago in Afghanistan
KABUL: Daesh claimed responsibility for a suicide attack that killed more than 60 would-be voters in the Afghan capital of Kabul on Sunday.
The attack may cause further concern among Afghans who already seem disinterested in registering for the crucial elections to select a new parliament and choose new members for provincial councils on Oct. 20.
It occurred in the Dashte Barchi part of Kabul, a Shia-dominated area where Daesh has conducted a number of deadly attacks against the Shia-populated areas in recent months.
Interior ministry officials said the bomber blew himself up outside offices used for voters鈥� registration where, according to the health ministry, 63 died and 119 other people were wounded.
Some schoolchildren were among the victims, hospital officials told Arab News.
Blood-stained National ID papers and voters鈥� photos are seen on the ground outside a voter registration center, after a suicide attack in Kabul, Sunday, April 22, 2018. (AP Photo)
Abdullah Abdullah, the country鈥檚 chief executive, in a tweet, said the attack will not deter Afghans from voting.
鈥淚 strongly condemn the terrorist attack on the voters鈥� registration center in Kabul. I stand with those affected by this cowardly attack. Our resolve for fair and transparent elections will continue and terrorists won鈥檛 win against the will of the Afghan people.鈥�
Sunday鈥檚 attack was the deadliest against the elections process since the launch of registration more than a week ago in Afghanistan. Other attacks were minor and happened in remote areas.
The turnout of those registering is said to be far lower 鈥� a sign of lack of interest among Afghans because of fraudulent past elections and the way many leaders and politicians failed to deliver on even minor promises given during the campaign.