A member of the Independent Election Commission (IEC) says donor organizations and government have not yet said how much they will provide in funding for the upcoming presidential elections scheduled for July 20 this year.

However, in turn, the IEC, which has approved their budget, have not handed this over to either government or donors, said Sayed Hafizullah Hashemi, an IEC member.

According to the commission, the elections will need an estimated $70 million.

According to the election law however, the budget should have been approved before the IEC announced the election date. 

“It is a little late. The budget should have been approved few days ago. Donors should have announced their promises to the elections,” he said.

At least 18 candidates including President Ashraf Ghani are running for president in the 2019 presidential elections.

Meanwhile, Ghani, on Wednesday addressed a gathering of youths and touched on the election topic. 

He said he wants the results to be announced through a transparent process within two days of votes being cast. 

Ghani said that the “people no longer trust the election commissions and that widespread reforms are required in the electoral bodies.” 

He said the election law will be amended – to facilitate further reforms in the commissions.

“The presidential elections date was changed. The people of Afghanistan are ready and we hope that the commission will have its preparations in this respect,” said Sayed Ali Kazemi, an MP.

“There is lack of capacity in the election commission to hold the upcoming presidential elections,” said Marwa Amini, spokesperson for Free and Fair Election Foundation of Afghanistan.