The Independent Election Commission (IEC) and government have come under fire for what Ghazni activists and residents say is a lack of commitment to resolving issues relating to the election process in the province. 

Addressing a gathering in Kabul on Sunday, activists said neither the IEC nor government have the will to conduct free and transparent elections in Ghazni. 

They said it has been weeks since problems arose over the election process in Ghazni and nothing has been done to resolve the issues. 

Last month, Ghazni residents forced the IEC to close its provincial office until government either ensures security in the province or reduces the size of election constituencies. 

However, this impasse has not been resolved and the office remains closed. 

IEC officials however said a joint meeting between the commission, the Presidential Palace (ARG) and other responsible institutions will be convened on Monday and the Ghazni issue will be discussed. 

“We call on the Afghan government and the international community and people of Ghazni to resolve the issue of the closure of the provincial office of the independent election commission in Ghazni,” said one civil rights activist Hadi Alimi. 

 “Tomorrow there will be a meeting and a settlement will be put to the commission. Representatives from the electoral complaints commission, the election commission and other relevant institutions will participate, and they will make proposals to the commission on how to overcome the issues around elections in Ghazni,” said IEC member Sayed Hafiz Hashemi. 

Ghazni activists also opposed the plan for zone-based elections in Ghazni province. In addition, security threats and the non-delivery of election material are among the problems regarding elections in the province. 

According to local officials, at least 14 districts in the province face serious security threats and 15 voter registration centers remain closed in the center of the province.