In Afghanistan, election commission has decided to close more polling stations for next week Parliamentary elections due to security concerns. The electoral commission said 81 of the 458 polling stations planned in eastern Nangarhar province will be shut during the elections due to deteriorating security conditions. The tense eastern province bordering Pakistan is a center of the Taliban insurgency, with many militants entering the country from safe havens across the border. Election officials had earlier announced that more than 900 other polling stations would remain shut because of security concerns and that 5,897 voting sites would be opened throughout the country. Around 2500 candidates including 400 women are in fray for 249 member lower house of Parliament. Arrangements for polling day are reaching its final phase with ballot papers and ballot boxes on their way to remote areas.