An Afghan Independent Election Commission (IEC) worker checks plastic boxes of election materials at a warehouse in Mazar-i-Sharif, capital of Balkh Province, north Afghanistan, on Oct. 17, 2018. More than 2,500 candidates are contesting for the 249-seat Wolesi Jirga, or the lower house of the Afghan parliament, slated for Oct. 20. (Xinhua/Yaqoub Azorda)