KABUL (Pajhwok): The Social Justice Movement (SJM) on Thursday termed the Independent Election Commission (IEC)’s date announcement for the parliamentary and district council elections as “illegal and unjustifiable.”
The civil society group said the announcement had hurt people’s trust over the unity government regarding reforms in the county’s electoral system and holding new elections by fresh election commissioners under a transparent system.
SJM chief Ahmad Zaki told reporters here the incumbent election bodies had been accused of supporting a specific group in the previous elections.
On Monday, the Independent Election Commission (IEC) announced the schedule for parliamentary and district council elections.
IEC chairman Yousuf Nuristani told a news conference that the panel had made all technical preparations to conduct the election process on October 15, 2016.
No one would be allowed to interfere in the election process or IEC affairs, Nuristani pledged. “We have also prepared a draft to reform the election system and have shared it with the government and parliament for approval,” he added.
However, he said $67 million was needed to cover expenses of the elections and the government was responsible to provide it.
Romal Khuram, member of the SJM, alleged officials of the two electoral bodies had intervened in the previous vote process and made it controversial.
The SJM also issued a statement saying the unity government should strive to protect the country’s national interests.
It asked the two leaders not let the country plunge into a new political turmoil due to a controversial election system, calling for a clear roadmap to ensure transparent polls.
Fuente: http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2016/01/21/announcement-election-schedule-ille...
Autor: Naheed Bashardost
