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IEC Blames Government for Killing Time in Holding Elections
Independent Election Commission (IEC) says it will be impossible for them to hold the parliamentary election this year if the budget is not provided on time.
IEC said it will take its final decision on parliamentary and provincial councils elections next week.
“If the decision on providing the budget is not taken on time, there is less change to hold the elections this year and next week we are going to announce our final decision in regard,” said Head of IEC Secretariat, Imam Mohammad Warimach.
According to IEC, $220 million is expected to be provided by the Afghan government and donors for holding the parliamentary election.
The IEC official further said that escalation of conflict is threatening the elections, and blaming government for killing time in the process.
The Presidential Palace; however, said the government is committed to provide the expected budget of parliamentary election.
“Whenever they announce the elections’ timetable and specify the required funds, the government will provide it,” Acting Spokesman of President Ashraf Ghani’s Office, Shah Hussain Murtazawi said.
Following the issue, Free and Fair Election Foundation of Afghanistan (FEFA) said not only government but IEC also reluctant to perform their duties.
“Holding the elections is sidelined and if the situation continues like it is, we will not see elections in 2018 as well,” said Chief Executive of FEFA, Yusuf Rashid.
This comes as based on President Ghani’s order, the Lower House of the Afghan Parliament has continued to act illegally since last two years. Earlier, the European Union and the donor countries also called for soon parliamentary election in Afghanistan.
By Fawad Nasiri and Shakib Mahmud
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More needs to be done to boost local industry, says Kabir
The deputy prime minister for policy, Mawlavi Abdul Kabir, met with Nooruddin Azizi, Acting Minister of Commerce and Industry, at Sapidar Palace on Tuesday and discussed issues around the quality of domestic products and the need to grow and develop the industrial sector.
Azizi said that good trade relations with neighboring countries has resulted in stable prices of goods in the country.
He said the Ministry of Commerce and Industry works closely with the private sector. As a result, the private sector functions in a befitting manner and the Islamic Emirate has provided necessary facilities.
Azizi said that based on the Islamic Emirate’s good economic policies, there has been a significant development in the import/export sector in the country.
Kabir in turn voiced appreciation for efforts by the leadership of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and said: “The unprecedented efforts of the IEA’s administrations and the stability of the Afghan currency caused the price of food ingredients to remain in the right state and our people also be able to buy essential materials.”
He emphasized the need to work for a balance in trade with neighboring countries, and said more efforts were needed to improve the quality of domestic products and to grow the sector.
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Russia and Tajikistan hold joint military drills along Afghanistan border
Russia and Tajikistan conducted a joint four-day military exercise along the border with Afghanistan in order to be prepared for any “potential threats”, Tajik media reported this week.
Russian military personnel from the 201st military base in Tajikistan participated in this exercise. Reports stated military personnel practiced various combat tactics, especially tactics to counter terrorist groups that illegally enter Tajikistan.
This comes amid repeated concerns expressed by Afghanistan’s neighbors about what they claim are terrorist threats originating from Afghanistan.
The Islamic Emirate has not yet commented on the drills but has repeatedly denied the presence of terrorist groups in the country. The IEA has also continuously said no militant group will be allowed to threaten another country from Afghanistan.
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Media Violation Commission bans two TV channels
The Media Violations Commission has ordered Noor and Barya TV channels to stop broadcasting and to appear in court, state-run Bakhtar News Agency reported on Tuesday.
ّIt is said that the decision against the channels was taken for “not observing the principles of journalism.”
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