Electoral observing institutions call on NUG to determine future of upcoming elections

The electoral observing institutions in an open letter to the leaders of National Unity Government (NUG) called for determination of the future of parliamentary and provincial council elections.

Officials in these institutions say the government does not have a strong commitment for holding the elections and brining electoral reforms; citing the international community should press NUG to take practical steps before the Brussels summit.

“There is not any unique position in National Unity Government for holding the elections and reforms. The government does not have a complete will to fulfill commitments in brining reforms,” said Muhammad Naeem Ayoub Zada, chairman of Transparency Election Foundation of Afghanistan (TEFA).

Muhammad Naeem Asghari, head of AIWA programs also said, “The international community should press the Afghan government to bring electoral reforms before the Brussels summit.”

In the meantime, Afghan Civil Society and Elections Network (ACSEN) emphasizes on the scheme of electoral reforms commission and said its articles should seriously be considered.

“All observing institutions agreed that the draft scheme of electoral reforms commission is a master plan and we expect reforms made based on this draft,” said Jandad Spin Ghar, chairman of ACSEN.

Previously, the Presidential Palace and Executive Office have announced that the National Unity Government is committed for holding the elections and the new decision about electoral reforms will be soon announced.