Polling stations formally open for voting in Afghanistan’s parliamentary election

Polling opens for Afghan parliamentary vote

KABUL, Afghanistan — Polling stations have formally opened for voting in Afghanistan’s parliamentary election after a scattering of early morning rocket attacks apparently aimed to disrupt the vote.

Officials say a rocket struck Kabul a couple hours before dawn Saturday, while three others struck the eastern city of Jalalabad.

Afghan police officer Mohammad Abrahim says the rocket in the capital landed in the yard of Afghanistan’s state-owned television station.

Nangarhar province spokesman Ahmedzia Abdulzai says the rockets in Jalalabad were fired at a military base.

The rockets were an apparent warning from insurgents trying to scare people from going to the polls. About 2,500 candidates are vying for 249 seats in the parliament.