KABUL: The Taliban鈥檚 announcement on Tuesday of the launch of its annual spring offensive has dashed the chances of peace talks with the Afghan government

The announcement follows last week鈥檚 deadly attack by Daesh on a voter registration center in Kabul. 

鈥淲hen the Taliban declares its spring offensive, it鈥檚 not only rejecting President Ashraf Ghani鈥檚 peace overture, but also launching a war against it,鈥� Mohammed Daud Kalakani, a lawmaker from Kabul, told Arab News.

Since the announcement, the Taliban has unleashed a series of attacks, killing dozens of Afghan security personnel and the deputy governor of Logar province, Foreign Ministry officials told Arab News on Friday.

The offensive spells 鈥渄isaster for the people,鈥� Defense Ministry spokesman Mohammed Radmanesh told Arab News.

鈥淲e have our own preparations, and have launched 11 offensives in different parts of the country.鈥�

There have been at least six attacks on voter registration offices, including one in Kabul. The government has acknowledged that many of them are in areas beyond its control, but has vowed to beef up security for parliamentary elections scheduled for October. 

There are fears that the Taliban offensive could escalate violence and reduce the chances of a transparent and secure election.

鈥淪o far, only 200,000 people have registered,鈥� Ahmad Saeedi, an analyst and former Afghan diplomat, told Arab News.

鈥淲e have 13 million people qualified to vote, so even if we step up security and prolong the period of voter registration, possibly 1 or 2 million will register,鈥� he said.

鈥淲ill this be enough of a turnout? Will the election be free, fair and transparent? No. The election will add to the crisis,鈥� he added. 

鈥淓lections are held to bring political stability, but this one will increase the challenges for the government and the people.鈥� Government officials insist the election will be held on time.