Afghan nomads warn to boycott presidential polls

Afghan Kuchis or nomads have warned to boycott the upcoming presidential elections in the post-Taliban country if the government continues to overlook their rights, a local newspaper reported Thursday."Over 40,000 Kuchis living in the southern Ghazni province would boycott the coming presidential elections and would not attend the voting process if the government does not consider their civil and social rights," Daily Outlook quoted a Kuchi elder Mohammad Gul Kuchi as saying.Gul Kuchi, the newspaper added, had accused powerful people of occupying their pastures.A minority without particular lands, the Kuchis with their herds of cattle often travel across the country. Kuchis or nomads in the neighboring Wardak province clashed with locals in Behsood district over land dispute last year which had left several dead.Afghanistan's presidential elections set for August 20 this year is going to be held amid tight security as several NATO member states and U.S. have announced to send additional troops ahead of elections in the war-torn nation.