Candidate, election workers kidnapped ahead of Afghanistan's election
![An Afghan labourer rests in a wheelbarrow in front of election posters in the old city of Kabul. [AFP]](http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/201009/r641127_4440208.jpg "An Afghan labourer rests in a wheelbarrow in front of election posters in the old city of Kabul. [AFP]")
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An Afghan labourer rests in a wheelbarrow in front of election posters in the old city of Kabul. [AFP]
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The Taliban in Afghanistan has started its campaign to disrupt weekend elections by kidnapping a candidate and 18 election workers.
The organisation had already claimed responsibility for killing three candidates.
It's threatening to attack voters, polling centres, election workers and security forces.
More than 2,500 candidates are standing for 249 seats in the Wolesi Jirga, or lower house of parliament.
Security is being increased throughout the country with 300,000 Afghan soldiers and police assigned to guard the poll, backed up by 150,000 foreign troops.
Concern for troops, civilians
Australia's Defence Minister Stephen Smith says this weekend's election in Afghanistan will be risky for Australian troops and civilian staff in the country.
The Taliban has renewed its threat to attack anyone who takes part in tomorrow's parliamentary election.
Mr Smith says Australian troops are playing a support role for the Afghan police and troops who are providing security for voters.
"There's always a high risk in Afghanistan, it is essentially a theatre of war so there are risks for the Australian defence force personnel who are there, and tragically in recent times we've seen too many casualties. There are also risks for our diplomats and civilian personnel who are there."
Aid for Pakistan
Mr Smith says the government will consider extending the aid being provided by Australian troops in flood affected parts of Pakistan.
The Defence Force and AusAid have set up a medical facility in the Punjab province.
The Foreign Affairs Minister Kevin Rudd has visited the centre and announced another $AUS40 million in aid for food, water and sanitation supplies and longer-term reconstruction projects.
Mr Smith says the Defence Department is also considering what additional help it can provide.
"We are open minded about a further contribution in terms of additional support on the ground, but there are security implications that follow from that, and just as we didn't on the first occasion we would not be rushing into it, but I do want to have a conversation with Foreign Minister Rudd when he returns to see whether there's more that we can do."
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