US defense chief: Afghans have ‘capable and competent’ security plan for election

Gates says security adequate for weekend vote

WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Robert Gates says Afghanistan has a “capable and competent” plan for handling security during this weekend’s election.

Gates says U.S. forces will provide backup where needed, as they did during last year’s fraud-marred presidential vote.

Afghans go to the polls Saturday for a parliamentary contest considered a test of whether President Hamid Karzai’s government can stage a free and fair election while protecting voters from insurgents.

Gates stopped short of predicting a completely clean vote this time. But in remarks at the Pentagon on Thursday, the defense chief says he hopes for a “credible” vote and minimal post-election violence or squabbling.