KABUL, June 13 (Xinhuanet) -- The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan has decided to increase its military strength in Afghanistan ahead of the coming parliamentary polls in the post-Taliban nation, a spokeswoman of the multinational force said Monday.

    "Three battalions will be arriving within six to eight weeks prior to the election bay," spokeswoman Karen Tissot Van Patot said at a news briefing here.

    However, she declined to say which countries are going to contribute the election support force.

    NATO also increased its force during the presidential elections last year and enabled it to be held at a peaceful environment.

    "We will increase our joint patrol with the Afghan National Army (ANA) and Afghan National Police and we will increase the Quick Reaction Force capability also prior to the elections," she noted.

    Over 8,000-strong ISAF troops with majority of whom in the capital city have been tasked to stabilize security in the war-torn country.

    The first parliamentary elections in Afghanistan for which over 6,000 candidates have registered are scheduled to be held on Sept. 18.

    Remnants of Taliban movement whose regime was driven out from power in late 2001 have vowed to derail the election process by any means. Enditem