President should refrain issuing arbitrary decrees on electoral reforms: Bakhteyari

The Independent Election Commission (IEC)’s commissioner, Aziz Bakhteyari says that the commission is in an electoral operation and the government should not interfere in IEC’s works.

Bakhteyari emphasizes that President Ghani should not issue arbitrary decrees on brining changes in election law and issuing such decrees will make the country’s problems even more.

According to IEC, approval of amendments in setting duties law and the authorities of election commission by cabinet and its implementation are illegal.

“There are many problems; first, we have election law, secondly, issuing arbitrary decrees would damage reputation of the President and thirdly we are in an electoral operation and there is no need for any decree,” said Aziz Bakhteyari, IEC commissioner.

In the meantime, the Presidential Palace stresses on signing the amendments of electoral law in nearest time; it means the upcoming election will be held as president’s decree not with the current election law.

“President Ghani is determined to bring electoral reforms and he will sign the amendments of electoral law based on his authorities,” said Zafar Hashemi, deputy spokesman of President.

In September 2014, after months of deadlock over the contested electoral results, the two presidential candidates signed a power-sharing deal to protect national unity, introducing the office of the Chief Executive.

The relationship between Ashraf Ghani, President, and Abdullah Abdullah, Chief Executive, has not always been rosy with frequent conflicts erupting between the two highest offices of the state.

The latest chapter in this troubled relationship is the conflict over electoral reform. There is a shared agreement that electoral reform is of fundamental importance in order to ensure a fair electoral process on the occasion of the next Parliamentary election which will take place in September 2015.

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.

Some amendments are under discussion in the Parliament, in particular in the appointment process and responsibilities of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).

Further changes include statutes making the IEC a temporary body only formed during election time, requiring members of the commission to go through a re-appointment process in a bid to boost their accountability.

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.