Afghan Official: Presidential Poll Will Be 9 October

Karzai 9 July 2004 -- A top Afghan election official says Afghanistan will hold its presidential election on 9 October but that parliamentary polls will be delayed until early next year.

Zakim Shah, chairman of the U.N.-Afghan Joint Electoral Management Body, made the announcement on state television today.

The U.S.-backed government of Afghan Transitional Administration Chairman Hamid Karzai hoped to hold both elections in June, but logistical problems and lack of security forced a delay.

The Taliban and allied militants have vowed to disrupt the polls.

(Reuters/AP)