The Taliban have warned Afghans not to participate in Afghanistan's upcoming parliamentary elections, saying they will attack polling stations, Press TV reported.
"It is only to the benefit of foreigners who want to maintain their existence in the country by holding such a process and we believe that the people will not get any benefit out of it," Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid told The Associated Press in a telephone interview on Sunday.
"That's why we announced to the local people that all Afghan people should boycott this election and they should not participate on the polling date," Mujahid said.
Election officials plan to open 5,897 voting centers to choose 249 members of the lower house of parliament from among more than 2,500 candidates, including women.
Meanwhile, Afghan President Hamid Karzai has set up a peace committee as part of the reconciliation effort to reintegrate some Taliban militants.
The idea for a peace council was discussed at a traditional gathering or jirga of Afghan leaders and tribal elders in Kabul in June.
Similar attempts in the past have failed as the Taliban militants insist that all foreign troops must leave the country first.