Afghanistan Times
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AT-KABUL: There is no will within the government to hold parliamentary elections, the former Independent Election Commission (IEC) Chief Fazl Ahmad Manawi said, calming the government afraid of fair vote.
Manawai said this while speaking at a gathering of the Afghanistan Salvation Alliance on Friday, soothing the government yet to reach conclusion whether it could hold the next year’s elections or not.
He said the government was afraid of a strong parliament and thus trying to repeat the 1393 elections.
“The international community wants elections to Wolesi Jirga and district councils on schedule, but if the government intends to hold elections like it did in 1393, it would be better not to hold the elections.”
Manawi said the incumbent IEC members were not independent and they were worst than their predecessors because they were insulted and their chief removed illegally.
Similarly, the former IEC chief said the government had no intention to bring peace and the Taliban were also not willing to reconcile with the government.
Other speakers also criticized the government performance.
This comes as recently Chief Executive, Abdullah Abdullah acknowledged that the government failed to bring reforms in the electoral system, saying that “big opportunities were missed”.
In a meeting held to discuss women’s participation in political parties, Abdullah said the government should not interfere in election commissions’ works.
However, he promised that parliament’s election would be held next year while 2019 would be the year for presidential election.
He emphasized on women’s participation in the government, criticizing the parliament for sketchy behavior to women.
Women’s rights activists also criticized government for what they called “nothing has been done” for women.
