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As Afghan vote nears, Taliban steps up intimidation campaign
The Taliban have escalated a campaign of threats and intimidation ahead of the presidential election next Thursday, warning voters in mosques and through leaflets and radio announcements not to vote, or face "strong punishment."
One Taliban commander stood up in a mosque in the southern province of Zabul and warned people that the Taliban would cut off any finger stained with the indelible ink that marks voters, a witness said.
Until now, the insurgents have refrained from specific violence against the election process and have kept the government and international forces guessing about their real intentions.
But the intimidation campaign, which has just started in the last week or so, is an indication that the Taliban are switching gears and are intent on keeping people away from the polls to demonstrate their influence.