‘Shame’ to Continue without Holding Election: Senate Speaker Muslimyar

Afghan Parliament’s Upper House (Meshrano Jirga) on Tuesday questioned the Independent Election Commission (IEC) officials in connection with election issue.

A number of senators in the Parliament stressed that the parliamentary elections should be held despite it seem difficult in the current situation.

“Our only request is to hold the election as soon as possible; delaying the election is violation of law and contrary to democracy. The timetable of the election should be announced,” said Senator Gul Ahmad Azami.  

The Speaker of Senate, Fazl Hadi Muslimyar said delaying the election is shameful for the government.

“It is a shame for us, government and for the Election Commission as we are in uncertain situation whether to hold the election or not, years will pass and we are now beginning the eighth year of legislative session.”

However, the head of IEC Secretariat, Imam Mohammad Warimach said, they cannot set a timetable for the election unless the preparation for the process was finalized.

“All plans are under consideration and are not finalized yet. The exact budget is not set so far but we suggested the estimated budget to the Finance Ministry,” Warimach said.

“The timetable for the election will not be announced until all works of the process are completed,” he added.

This comes as the 16th term of the Afghan parliament began in 2010 and its duration was completed in 2015, but the government has failed to arrange the next parliamentary election on time.

Reported by Rafi Sediqi, Edited by Shakib Mahmud