Afghanistan is in âpretty good shapeâ for upcoming legislative elections despite continuing violence and a major protest outside the main US military base, the presidentâs chief of staff said. More than 800 people have been killed since March in a wave of attacks in Afghanistan, particularly in its southern and eastern provinces bordering Pakistan. Officials have warned the violence could intensify before the Sept. 18 polls. âThe world knows that the future of Afghanistan depends on these elections,â President Hamid Karzaiâs chief of staff, Jawed Ludin, said Wednesday. âIn fact, weâre in pretty good shape, given Afghanistan as a whole.â