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Afghanistan’s Upcoming Elections Still Face Challenges: IEC
The Independent Election Commission (IEC) has labeled security, lack of budget and distribution of electronic ID cards the main challenges ahead of the upcoming parliamentary and provincial council elections.
Currently, all eyes are on the Afghan government as to whether or not it will be able to deliver on its promise of providing free and fair parliamentary and district elections scheduled for July 7, 2018.
“The three challenges; insecurity, lack of budget and electronic ID cards have been seriously affected the timing of holding the upcoming elections,” said Abdul Badi Sayad, IEC commissioner.
During the introduction ceremony of a new commissioner, the IEC officials have called on electoral partners to provide the election’s requirements on its specified time.
The newly-appointed commissioner, Sayed Hafizullah Hashemi said, “The election commission is now in a tight situation that should take positive steps for transparency, trust building and accountability.”
However, the electoral observing and monitoring institutions do not believe that the upcoming election will be held in its specific time.
“The elections will not be held in its specific time. But if they honestly works, they can prevent some delays,” said Naeem Ayoub Zada, head of the Transparent Election Foundation of Afghanistan (TEFA).
As the parliamentary elections approach and the country undergoes a difficult time in terms of stability and legitimacy, the Afghan government and international community need to consider the most feasible reforms. Otherwise, the July 7, 2018 parliamentary election originally scheduled for October 15, 2016 will further loosen the already shaky pillars of the government.
Mawlavi Abdul Kabir, the political deputy prime minister, said Wednesday in a meeting with a number of elders, scholars and youths of the Hazara ethnic group in Kabul that justice in light of Islamic Sharia is applied equally to everyone.
The deputy PM’s office said in a statement that Kabir stressed that discrimination and prejudice have no place in the Islamic system, but the main goal is to serve the people.
“There is no place for ethnic, sectarian and linguistic prejudices and hypocrisy in Afghanistan. All Afghans should work together for the construction, development and prosperity of Afghanistan,” the statement read.
At the gathering, elders and scholars of the Hazara community demanded resolutions regarding their legal cases and other problems and assured the IEA of comprehensive cooperation with the Islamic system, the statement added.
Eight security force members were killed and wounded in an IED explosion in Badakhshan province on Wednesday morning, officials confirmed.
The Ministry of Interior said three policemen died and five others were wounded in the explosion.
Abdul Mateen Qani, the spokesman of the Ministry of Interior Affairs, said: “Unfortunately, at around 11:00 AM today, a sticky mine (magnetic IED) that was already embedded in a motorcycle exploded in the Jawozon area of Faizabad city, Badakhshan province.”
According to Qani the device detonated while a convoy of police was traveling through the area. Police had been carrying out a poppy clearing operation.
Police are investigating the incident, Qani said.
So far, no group or individual has claimed responsibility for the explosion.
Khurasan Faryab defeated Istiqlal Kabul 1-0 in the 35th match of Afghanistan Champions League (ACL) in Kabul on Tuesday, while Sorkh Poshan Khafi thrashed Sarsabz Yashlar 4-1 in the 36th match of the tournament on the same day.
Khurasan’s only goal against Istiqlal Kabul was scored by Farid Ahmad – who was declared man of the match.
In the second match of the day, Sorkh Poshan Khafi’s four goals were scored by Habibullah Hotak and Omid Rajabi.
Khurasan’s Habibullah Hotak received the man of the match award.
Wednesday’s matches will see Abu Muslim Farah FC take on Adalat Farah FC at 1 PM, while Maiwand FC will play Jawanan Wahedi FC at 3:30 PM.
The matches are broadcast live on Ariana Television.
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