Zia-ul-Haq Amarkhil, the head of the Independent Election Commission (IEC), on Thursday announced that nobody from Nuristan and Zabul provinces has filed nomination for the Provincial Councils' election over the past nine days.

The officials further added that majority of the candidates who have filed nominations in eight provinces, including Daikondui, Wardak, Zabul, Paktika, Badakhshan, Nuristan, and Samangan are all men. They expressed concerns over the non-receipt of a single female nomination.

"Unfortunately, neither men nor women have filed nominations in Nuristan and Zabul provinces. But, they have received the information packets," said Mr. Amarkhil.

Although, few women have received the information packets, yet no female has come forward to submit their nomination papers. The Commission expressed concern over the lack of women's participation in the Provincial Councils' election.

"No female has filed nomination for the Provincial Councils' election in eight provinces. Although, they received the information packets, but they have not submitted their documents," Mr. Amarkhil added.

Presidential and Provincial Councils' candidates have until October 6 to submit their names and meet the considerable requirements set for the upcoming elections. The IEC has urged all the candidates to submit their documents on time or face rejection.

The election is set for April 5, but with the voter registration period coming to an end and the candidate registration time just beginning, preparations are in high gear. With only 12 days left to register, news about who is going to contest the elections will likely be breaking over the course of the next couple of weeks.