Some members of Wolesi Jirga, Lower House of Parliament, said the Census Department and the Independent Election Commission are not acting fairly in establishing voter registration and identity card centers in the country’s districts.

The voter registration process in districts kicked off on May 15.

“They have established more centers in provinces where more Kuchis (nomads) are living because our president is a Kuchi and he thinks that he will get votes from ‘villagers’,” said Allah Gul Mujahid, an MP.

“Fraud has already started. Money is sent from one province to another,” said Sayema Khogyani, an MP.

Other MPs warned they would boycott elections if the voter registration and identity cards distribution centers are not run properly. 

“We will have to hear the people’s voice and boycott elections if these problems of ours are not addressed,” said Habiburrahman Afghan, an MP.

The Wolesi Jirga Speaker Abdul Rauf Ibrahimi meanwhile called on relevant offices to address the MPs and peoples’ concerns.

“The identity cards distribution department as the responsible authority should make practical steps to overcome people’s problems and concerns,” Ibrahimi said.