IEC Signs Security Plan of Parliamentary Election with Relevant Institutions

The Independent Election Commission (IEC) on Sunday signed the security plan of upcoming parliamentary election with state security institutions.

The IEC Chairman signed the security plan with Defense, Interior ministries, the National Directorate of Security (NDS) and Independent Directorate of Local Governance (IDLG).

Addressing a joint press conference on the security plan, the Chairman of IEC said urged the security institutions to be impartial and avoid the interference of powerful-figures in the election process.

“The inference of powerful-figures including people within the security sectors should be prevented in the elections so we do not have a fraud election,” said IEC Chairman, Najibullah Ahmadzai.

Following the plan, the heads of security institutions assured of maintaining the security in elections.

“We will use our full capacity to ensure better security,” Chief of Army Staff, Sharif Yaftali.

“We will not allow fraud, interference and will provide better security in the elections. There are security threats in some provinces but we are conducting Khalid Operation in restive provinces with coordination of Defense Ministry,” Interior Minister, Taj Mohammad Jahid said.

In order to inform IEC about the security situation, the NDS Chief said that they will provide a security report to IEC after every six months.

“We will provide anticipated report of six months to the election commission and the first report will be in next six months,” said Mohammad Masoum Stanikzai.

On its part, IDLG also assured of cooperating security institutions.

This comes as the Afghan parliamentary and district councils’ elections are due to be held in July 7th of 2018.