Afghan villagers and election workers unload election materials in Saree Margui, in Bamiyan province

Taleban rebels in Afghanistan have launched attacks in the lead-up to Sunday's parliamentary elections, in an effort to disrupt the vote.

Government officials say security forces arrested 20 suspected rebels Saturday, who were trying to blow up a large dam in southern Afghanistan.

Late Friday, three police officers were killed when Taleban guerillas ambushed their patrol near the capital. In a separate attack, rebels ambushed police as they patrolled the main Kabul - Kandahar highway. Seven rebels were killed in the ensuing firefight.

Seven national assembly candidates and several poll workers have also been the victims of election-related violence.

The Taleban have called for an election boycott, threatening attacks on foreign troops, but not on voters.

Some information for this report provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.