Afghan Independent Election Commission (IEC) workers carry plastic boxes of election materials at a warehouse in Mazar-i-Sharif, capital of Balkh province, northern Afghanistan, Oct. 17, 2018. More than 2,500 candidates will contest the 249 seats in the Wolesi Jirga or the lower house of parliament, however there is much to be done ahead of the poll expected to be attended by millions of voters on Oct. 20. (Xinhua/Yaqoub Azorda)