In Afghanistan, up to 19 people, including a candidate and eight election officials have been reported kidnapped on the eve of a parliamentary elections.Independent Election Commission (IEC) spokesman Noor Mohammad Noor said a candidate had been kidnapped in eastern Laghman province but the circumstances were not clear.He said eight IEC officials had been abducted in northwestern Badghis but were safe. Another official said that 10 campaign workers had also been abducted in the same area. Taliban has announced to target the polling centres and warned voters against participation.Security preparations are in full gear for the polls as the streets of the Afghan capital were largely quiet and checkpoints have sprung up across the city. More than 2,500 candidates are standing nationwide for 249 seats in the lower house of parliament. The candidates include a Hindu lady, Anarkali and a Sikh named Satpal Singh who are contesting from Kabul constituency. Around 5500 polling centres have been set up all over the country.