Selection of New Electoral Members by Presidential Candidates ‘Illegitimate’: Watchdogs

Some election observers say the list of the candidates for July elections has not been yet finalized, therefore the selection of new electoral members by the presidential candidates is illegitimate.

At least 80 individuals have been introduced for the membership of the Independent Election Commission (IEC) and the Independent Electoral Complaints Commission (IECC), following the amendment of the election law and dismissal of former the electoral commissioners.

Based on the amended article 13 of the electoral law, the presidential candidates will pick seven individuals for IEC, five for IECC and two more for head of secretariat of the two commissions.

The election observers, however, said that the selection of the electoral members by the presidential candidates is illegitimate.

“The list of presidential candidates is not yet finalized and has not been processed, therefore, their selection is not legitimate,” said Nayeem Ayoubzada, the head of TEFA.

Some legal experts also insisted that the list of presidential candidates should be finalized before taking any decision regarding the selection of electoral members.