The Afghan Taliban on Thursday ordered its fighters to use all means attheir disposal to disrupt a presidential election taking place in thecountry later this week.

The militant group said it would attack security forces at polling stationsand block roads to disrupt voting.

It added that in order to remain safe, residents must refrain from votingand stay home.

The Taliban has dismissed the presidential election as a conspiracy to“implement the goals of occupiers” in the country.

The threat comes as millions of Afghans are called upon to cast theirballots on Saturday.

A total of 18 candidates including incumbent President Ashraf Ghani arecontesting the election.

Ghani, Afghan Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah and Rahmatullah Nabil, aformer head of the Afghan spy agency NDS, are currently leading the polls.