TALUQAN, Afghanistan, June 6 (Xinhua) -- Unknown armed men abducted a female candidate for district council elections in Darqad district of northern Takhar province on Tuesday, spokesman for provincial government Sunatullah Timuri said Wednesday.

"Fazila, a female candidate for district council elections from Darqad district was going to provincial capital Taluqan city on Tuesday afternoon when anti-government militants intercepted her car and took away the candidate along with her brother to unknown location," Timuri told Xinhua.

The official, however, blamed Taliban militants for the abduction, saying efforts are underway to ensure the safe release of the female candidate and her brother.

Taliban militants who are in control of parts of Darqad district and adjoining areas are yet to make comment.

The elections for Afghan Wolesi Jirga, or Lower House of parliament, and district councils are slated for Oct. 20 and since opening the voters' registration on April 14, over a dozen centers for voters' registrations have been attacked.