NUG Has No Will, Reform Plan for Next Year’s Elections: TEFA

The Transparent Election Foundation of Afghanistan (TEFA) says the government has no will and reform plan for holding next year’s parliamentary and provincial councils elections.

Speaking during a press conference on Monday in Kabul, the Head of TEFA, Nayeem Ayoub Zada claimed that certain circles close to President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah are interfering in election process.

“These individuals were being involved even in dismissals of [former] chairman of the election commission,” he asserted.

TEFA also said that the Independent Election Commission (IEC) is in management crisis and lacks leadership, adding that with the current situation holding elections are impossible.

“Efforts are being underway for the betterment of the condition for election,” said TEFA Observer Department Chairman, Shams Rasekh. “Currently, the situation seems more complicated and difficult than ever before.”

However, Chief Executive Abdullah stressed on holding transparent upcoming elections.

“We emphasis on holding transparent and timely elections, the 2014 election were [our] worst experience which shouldn’t repeated,” he said.

This comes as the parliamentary and provincial councils are expected to be held in July 2018.