Kabul - Afghan President Hamid Karzai ordered in a decree on Saturday that country's presidential poll, which was slated for August, to put forward to April.

Afghan Election commission is to hold presidential, parliamentary, provincial council district council and municipality elections in accordance with the constitution, Karzai said in a decree.

Constitutionally, the presidential election should be held at least 30 days before the end of the presidential term on May 22.

The election commission "shall also prepare the necessary situation for the participation of the all people in a transparent, fair, free, secret and direct election according to the provisions of the law," the decree said.

The polls had been put back to August 20 by the election commission from April because of logistical and security problems.

The president also called on opposition groups to take part in the elections. Taliban militants have already vowed to disrupt the presidential election. (dpa)