Kabul, Sep 17 (IANS): Afghan President Hamid Karzai Tuesday reiterated that the upcoming presidential election will be transparent and held according to schedule.

"We are determined to hold a free, fair and transparent presidential and provincial councils election,” Xinhua quoted Karzai as telling a gathering of Afghan youths here.

“All efforts must be in place to hold the elections on time. We must ensure the security for the important national event. Even with incomplete security, we must hold the elections, because holding this election is very important and putting off the process would be hazardous," he said.

His remarks came as war-weary Afghans feared that the election will not be held on time due to increasing security-related incidents across the country.

Karzai promised that all political parties can field their in the polls.

The country's third presidential and provincial councils elections since the fall of the Taliban regime in late 2001 is slated for April 5, 2014.

Nomination of candidates started Monday and will end Oct 5.

However, the first day of candidate registration ended Monday with no one signing up.

According to the election timeline, the political campaign will start Nov 17 and will last till April 2, two days before election day.

Insecurity and difficult terrain in parts of the mountainous country, where the election materials are difficult to carry, remain the main challenges for the polls, according to officials with the election commission.