'Tens of' Afghan polling centers fail to open

(Press TV) -- Election authorities claim turnout in Afghanistan's elections is 'very good' despite reports saying militants have prevented tens of polling centers from opening.

Some 95 percent of 6,500 polling stations opened while 312 centers remained closed, Independent Election Commission official Zekria Barakzai told AFP, declining to explain why the centers did not open.

"We managed to open 95 percent of the 6,500 polling centers. We have 6,185 open, 312 closed," he said, adding that he had no word on the status of a further 16.

The commission said initially it planned to open nearly 7,000 polling centers but later said as few as 6,200 could open because of poor security.

In the southeastern province of Paktia alone, 28 poling centers in Zurmat district, one in Jani Khel and another in Gardez, remained closed on Thursday, Press TV correspondent reported.

Panicked electoral officials refused to set foot in the area where the security situation reportedly remains grave due to a massive presence of Taliban insurgents.

Militants also stormed the northern province of Baghlan and clashed with security forces, preventing polling stations from opening, police said.

"Terrorists attacked from several directions. Fighting has been going on since morning," provincial police chief Mohammad Kabir Andarabi told AFP.

"Now, as we speak, the enemy has been pushed back. We have killed 22 terrorists. Most of their bodies are left on the ground," he added.

Another police official confirmed the attack but had initial reports that only six 'Taliban' militants were killed.