Skip to main content
Latest news
Thumbnail

Govt Calls On IEC To Set A Date For Parliamentary Elections

The government has called on the Independent Election Commission (IEC) to set a date for parliamentary and district council elections, something the IEC says will be difficult unless there is more coordination between government and the election management body.

IEC secretary Imam Mohammad Warimach said there is a need for more work to be done by the election commission and government before polls can be held.  

While the growing tension between government and some political forces in the country gather fresh momentum, concerns have also been raised among the Afghan public about these disputes, who say this could lead to the election reforms issue being sidelined. 

But the Presidential Palace has assured the people that government has taken all necessary steps to ensure security and budget for the elections.

 “The government has met its responsibilities, but the technical issues and setting up a date for the elections is the responsibility of the election commission,” said deputy presidential spokesman Dawa Khan Menapal.

The IEC argues that government is currently grappling with a series of problems including issues on the security front and it will not be possible to set a date for elections in view of the current situation in the country.

 “If the commission is not assured about the security and budget, setting a date for the elections is like writing something on ice,” said Warimach.

The IEC said government has not responded to a number of reforms proposed by the election commission.

Meanwhile, the U.S’s Special Chargé d'Affaires to Kabul, ambassador Hugo Llorens, has called on the Afghan government to take steps to hold  elections.

However, a lawmaker in parliament said it will be difficult to conduct free and fair elections in the country in view of the ongoing situation in the country.

“It was hoped that discussions would be held on the recommendations made by the commission and the people, but unfortunately it was not done,” added Warimach.

 Following the establishment of the National Unity Government (NUG) in 2014, President Ashraf Ghani and CEO Abdullah Abdullah pledged to consider systematic reforms in Afghanistan’s electoral system. But there is speculation that reforms have not been implemented in the electoral institutions. 

Govt Calls On IEC To Set A Date For Parliamentary Elections

The IEC says that work still needs to be done by the election commission before they can think of setting a date.

Thumbnail

The government has called on the Independent Election Commission (IEC) to set a date for parliamentary and district council elections, something the IEC says will be difficult unless there is more coordination between government and the election management body.

IEC secretary Imam Mohammad Warimach said there is a need for more work to be done by the election commission and government before polls can be held.  

While the growing tension between government and some political forces in the country gather fresh momentum, concerns have also been raised among the Afghan public about these disputes, who say this could lead to the election reforms issue being sidelined. 

But the Presidential Palace has assured the people that government has taken all necessary steps to ensure security and budget for the elections.

 “The government has met its responsibilities, but the technical issues and setting up a date for the elections is the responsibility of the election commission,” said deputy presidential spokesman Dawa Khan Menapal.

The IEC argues that government is currently grappling with a series of problems including issues on the security front and it will not be possible to set a date for elections in view of the current situation in the country.

 “If the commission is not assured about the security and budget, setting a date for the elections is like writing something on ice,” said Warimach.

The IEC said government has not responded to a number of reforms proposed by the election commission.

Meanwhile, the U.S’s Special Chargé d'Affaires to Kabul, ambassador Hugo Llorens, has called on the Afghan government to take steps to hold  elections.

However, a lawmaker in parliament said it will be difficult to conduct free and fair elections in the country in view of the ongoing situation in the country.

“It was hoped that discussions would be held on the recommendations made by the commission and the people, but unfortunately it was not done,” added Warimach.

 Following the establishment of the National Unity Government (NUG) in 2014, President Ashraf Ghani and CEO Abdullah Abdullah pledged to consider systematic reforms in Afghanistan’s electoral system. But there is speculation that reforms have not been implemented in the electoral institutions. 

Share this post