Following the Independent Election Commission’s (IEC) decision of not using the biometric system in the upcoming presidential elections, a number of mainstream political parties sharply criticized the decision and labeled it an "engineered political move aimed at meddling in the polls". 

A document obtained by TOLOnews on Thursday read that the IEC has reversed its decision on the use of the biometric system in the presidential elections due to lack of time and limited access to resources and biometric technology. 

Based on the amended election law, the election commission has an obligation to use biometric recognition system in the voter registration process and on the election day. 

So far, no official from the IEC has commented on this decision.

“We support full use of technology and biometric in the presidential elections and it is a red line of political parties,” said Humayun Jarir, member of Hizb-e-Islami party. 

Officials from Jamiat-e-Islami party, meanwhile, said the election commission does not have the authority to remove the use of biometric system from the elections process and that it is a political move. 

“The law has specified that biometric should be used for identification of voters. No one has the authority of making a decision in this regard unless the law is amended. An election cannot be started by violating the law that legitimizes the process,” said Noor Rahman Akhlaqi, member of Jamiat-e-Islami party.

Abdullah Qaraloq, deputy head of the Islamic Movement of Afghanistan, also reacted to the IEC’s decision and said there is no other alternative for ensuring transparency in election and that biometric system is the only option which should be used. 

“They made the decision against the outlines, decisions and agreements made in the past,” said Qaraloq. 

Meanwhile, other political parties at a meeting entitled “the National Coalition of Political Parties” in Kabul on Friday discussed issues around peace and the presidential elections. 

“Our nation, our political parties and especially the National Coalition of Political Parties of Afghanistan want a transparent election,” said Yasin Habib, head of Hizb-e-Bidar-e-Milli Falah Afghanistan. 

The use of the biometric system has been advised by the election law which faced an amendment in February. 

The election law has 109 articles and 17 chapters and according to sources, a number of these articles have been amended.