In Afghanistan, 18 election officials and campaign workers have been kidnapped by the Taliban as the country prepares for its second parliamentary elections taking places on Saturday. In east the country a Parliamentary candidate has been kidnapped by the Taliban.The Taliban are suspected of abducting the would-be MPs in the eastern Laghman province and western Herat province. The militants said they had seized the 18 poll officials and campaign workers in north-western Baddish province. The Taliban have threatened countrywide attacks on Saturday targeting voters and election workers.Security forces are setting up extra checkpoints across the country to stop suicide bombers and insurgents.More than 2,500 candidates are standing for 249 seats in the lower house of parliament, the Wolesi Jirga.