At least seven dead in suicide attack on Afghan election rally: official

At least seven people were killed in a suicide attack on an Afghan election campaign rally Tuesday, an official said, in the latest violence ahead of this month’s legislative vote.

Another 25 people were wounded when the militant blew himself up among supporters of parliamentary candidate Abdul Nasir Mohmmand in the eastern province of Nangarhar, provincial governor spokesman Ataullah Khogyani said.

Some of the wounded were in critical condition, Khogyani added.

Preparations for Afghanistan’s long-delayed parliamentary vote, scheduled for Oct. 20, have been marred by deadly violence.

Five candidates have been killed in attacks, according to the Independent Election Commission, and there are fears violence will escalate.

The Taliban and Daesh (ISIS) have vowed to disrupt the election process, as they ramp up attacks across the country.