ISLAMABAD, April 7: Afghanistan's former Taliban rulers have warned Afghans against voting in September elections, the Afghan Islamic Press (AIP) reported on Wednesday.

The warning was carried in a statement signed by a purported spokesman for the ousted hardliners Latifullah Hakimi and distributed to newspapers in northwest Pakistan.

"The United States wants to hold elections in Afghanistan to suppress the sentiments of jihad (holy war)," Mr Hakimi was quoted as saying in the statement.

"Do not take part in elections otherwise strict accountability will be held," the Taliban statement said. "A record of names and addresses of those who are taking part in elections is being prepared and on the basis of this evidence strict accountability will be done," AIP quoted Hakimi as saying. -AFP