Members of selecting committee accuse NUG of negligence

A number of members of the selecting committee have warned the government to take serious steps for starting the work of the committee unless they would face failure in holding the upcoming parliamentary election.

The selecting committee has accused National Unity Government (NUG) leaders of negligence in brining reforms to the electoral system.

“If the government does not accelerate efforts in brining reforms, holding the parliamentary election would be impossible,” said Zarqa Yaftali, member of the selecting committee.

Meanwhile, a number of Parliament representatives say that this time they will confirm Presidential decree on electoral reforms.

“The electoral system needs a serious reform and we hope that this time the president’s decree to be accepted,” said Maheyuddin Mahdi, member of parliament.

The electoral observing institution have also warned that the government’s negligence in brining reforms will make Afghanistan face the crisis of legitimacy and fall of democracy.

President Ghani and Chief Executive Officer Abdullah, in the September 2014 agreement, agreed to electoral reforms “to ensure that future elections are credible.”

After becoming the leaders of the National Unity Government, Ghani and Abdullah promised to reform the electoral system in order to prevent crises in future elections.

There is a widespread concern that the gridlock over the reform could spark further uncertainty in the country, to the point of bringing about protests and disorder should the upcoming parliamentary election be held under the same law. Fuelling possible popular distrust and lack of confidence in the electoral process, there are rumors that the members of the electoral commissions are holding meetings with MPs to dissuade them from supporting the legislation by promising favors in exchange for upcoming elections.