Security officials on Thursday reported that all necessary security precautions have been taken to ensure some 323 new polling stations suggested by the Independent Election Commission (IEC) would be open and operational come election day.
Previously, the Ministry of Interior (MoI) submitted an assessment to election officials indicating that out of the 6,645 total polling stations, 414 in various parts of the country would likely remain closed in April due to security threats.
The IEC and others involved in preparations for the elections have expressed concerns about the potential for insecurity to keep people away from the polls and undermine the credibility of the elections.
In an attempt to compensate for the polling sites that are likely to be non-functioning during the elections, the IEC recommended an additional 323 polling stations to serve as alternates for voters in the areas.
"We have received the list of 323 new polling stations and have included it on our list and we assure security for them," MoI spokesman Sediq Sediqi said on Thursday.
However, activists from the Free and Fair Election Foundation of Afghanistan (FEFA) are not confident the new polling centers will address the threats that face residents looking to vote.
"The fundamental question is that are those people that live in an insecure district able to go to another district and cast their votes and return home without being harmed by militants?" FEFA spokesman Fahim Naeemi asked.
Security has been a top concern for Afghan officials leading into this year's elections, which come as President Hamid Karzai leaves office and the NATO coalition leaves Afghanistan.
A number of Presidential candidates have mounted criticisms recently against the what they say are insufficient security measures being taken to protect the elections.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defense (MoD) spokesman General Zahir Azimi assured of the military's support for the MoI in providing election security.
"For our part, we have fully completed transfering election materials and will utilize all our energy to secure the elections," he said. "We will also strive to support the police force and our winter clearing operations will continue through the elections."