CSDCJWG calls for changes in Election Commissions

The Civil Society’s Democracy Committee and Joint Working Group (CSDCJWG) called for a change in the structure, working methods and members of the election commissions.

They warned the Election Reforms Commission to present people’s and Civil Society’s requests in a proposed package regardless of their political leanings to the government; otherwise it will commit treason.

It is scheduled that after a month period of work, the Election Reforms Commission to present its proposal package to the government.

“We demand changes in the structure, mechanism, working methods and members of the election commission but the leaders of National Unity Government (NUG) must decide regarding the issue,” Ayoub Zada, head of Civil Society’s Democracy Committee and Joint Working Group said.

They also called for specifying the date of provincial council and parliamentary elections; adding a special court must be considered for forgers.

Parliamentary elections are a very difficult challenge –given there are not set electoral rules –complicates the state of affairs. Without due electoral reform the conduction of parliamentary elections will be a difficult and challenging task.

“We want all demands of Afghan people fulfill because we had witnessed advisable which brought the country into the crisis,” Khalil Raoufi, member of Civil Society’s Democracy Committee and Joint Working Group said.

In September 2014, the twin head of state and government President Ashraf Ghani and the Chief of Executive Officer, Abdullah Abdullah made an agreement on electoral reforms to ensure that future elections are credible.

Without making needed reforms the unity government would exercise extra-constitutional authority until electoral reforms are made before conducting parliamentary and district council polls.

The Electoral Reform is considered a crucial need of Afghans subsequent electoral distaste emerged after the former presidential election.