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Most Afghans Want Timely, Legitimate Elections: Report

A new study conducted by a local research firm, Afghanistan Research and Advisory Board, has found that the only way to overcome current challenges in the country is for Afghanistan to hold credible, fair and transparent elections. 

The study took four months to complete and has looked at challenges facing elections in Afghanistan. Interviews were conducted with over 300 respondents in nine provinces and respondents shared their experience of past elections with researchers.    

Meanwhile officials from the Independent Electoral Complaints Commission (IECC) have stressed the need for more inclusive coordination between the election management bodies of the country in order to better manage the election process.

Up to 270 males and over 40 female respondents were asked about their views regarding elections.

“150 of the respondents suggested that to overcome current challenges in the country, there is a need for transparent, credible and fair elections to be held in Afghanistan. Also a significant number of respondents, comprising over 148 participants, said that any attempt to ignore the votes of the people or in delaying the elections will further add to the woes of the country. Respondents said in such cases there is the possibility that the country would head for a crisis,” said Abdul Qahar Sarwari, chairman of the Afghanistan Research and Advisory Board.

“Although we receive complaints relating to the lack of coordination between election bodies, there is a consensus that the level of cooperation and coordination must be increased in the future,” said Ali Reza Rouhani, a spokesman for the IECC.

This comes a day after the Independent Election Commission of Afghanistan (IEC) said that the turbulence in the security sector and lack of budget were two core issues that could create serious challenges ahead of elections. 

Wasima Badghisi, IEC operational deputy chief said the election commission has taken all necessary arrangements to ensure elections are held as per scheduled. The original date was July 7 this year but this has been moved to October 21 (29 Meezan 1397). 

Most Afghans Want Timely, Legitimate Elections: Report

The study found that a large percentage of Afghans felt a delay in polls would add to the country’s problems. 

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A new study conducted by a local research firm, Afghanistan Research and Advisory Board, has found that the only way to overcome current challenges in the country is for Afghanistan to hold credible, fair and transparent elections. 

The study took four months to complete and has looked at challenges facing elections in Afghanistan. Interviews were conducted with over 300 respondents in nine provinces and respondents shared their experience of past elections with researchers.    

Meanwhile officials from the Independent Electoral Complaints Commission (IECC) have stressed the need for more inclusive coordination between the election management bodies of the country in order to better manage the election process.

Up to 270 males and over 40 female respondents were asked about their views regarding elections.

“150 of the respondents suggested that to overcome current challenges in the country, there is a need for transparent, credible and fair elections to be held in Afghanistan. Also a significant number of respondents, comprising over 148 participants, said that any attempt to ignore the votes of the people or in delaying the elections will further add to the woes of the country. Respondents said in such cases there is the possibility that the country would head for a crisis,” said Abdul Qahar Sarwari, chairman of the Afghanistan Research and Advisory Board.

“Although we receive complaints relating to the lack of coordination between election bodies, there is a consensus that the level of cooperation and coordination must be increased in the future,” said Ali Reza Rouhani, a spokesman for the IECC.

This comes a day after the Independent Election Commission of Afghanistan (IEC) said that the turbulence in the security sector and lack of budget were two core issues that could create serious challenges ahead of elections. 

Wasima Badghisi, IEC operational deputy chief said the election commission has taken all necessary arrangements to ensure elections are held as per scheduled. The original date was July 7 this year but this has been moved to October 21 (29 Meezan 1397). 

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