The Independent Election Commission of Afghanistan (IEC) has started a nationwide assessment of polling centers in the country as part of its commitment to convene next year’s parliamentary and district councils’ elections timeously.
 
Wasima Badghisi, IEC operational deputy chief said on Monday the process of assessment of the polling centers across the country will be completed in a month and there is hope that systematic changes will be put in place.
 
On the costs of the elections, Badghisi said that up to now no funds had been allocated for the election management body.
 
Under the assessment plan, the IEC will launch an explicit investigation of the polling centers in 34 provinces across the nation.
 
“Because all polling stations were established in 2004 and due to the significant population increase since, there is the possibility that major reforms are to be put in place to deal with the matter,” said Badghisi.
 
According to Badghisi, the election commission will need nearly $220 million to conduct the elections on time and equip the commission with e-Voting technology.
 
She said that security and financial resources were among two key elements which have implications for ensuring the credibility and legitimacy of next elections.
 
“If the government provides us with the necessary budget, it would enable us to purchase e-voting equipment and train our employees and conduct the elections under e-voting system. This would have positive implications for the fairness of the elections,” added Badghisi.
 
The IEC provincial offices are ready to complete the assessment of polling stations within a period of 45 days, but IEC officials in the provinces have asked the Afghan security institutions and central government to ensure security for its employees in the provinces.
 
“Without security, our employees cannot go the voting sites, therefore we call on government to provide security for our employees,” said Dr. Mohammad Daud Sediq, head of IEC in Herat.
 
Meanwhile, local officials in some provinces have said that the government will use all its ability to ensure the security of elections.
 
“We expect the people, councils, government and local officials in the districts is to cooperate with our employees during the assessments of the polling stations.” Said Mustafa Musadiq, head of IEC in Badghis.
 
“Still we have a year before going to elections, this is enough time to work on the security of the elections, we hope to use our resources for maintaining security of the elections,” said Herat governor Mohammad Asif Rahimi.
 
Based on the IEC programs, all polling centers are expected to be transferred to public utility buildings such as government schools.