IEC in pre-election haste to ditch pressure: Watchdogs

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AT-KABUL: Some electoral watchdogs have called the announcement of the next year’s presidential election as hurrying, saying they are concerned over that.

These organizations claim that the government announced the date of next year’s presidential election “in a hurry” to get saved from pressures by the international community, political parties and other circles.

Yousuf Rashid, head of the Free and Fair Election Forum of Afghanistan (FEFA), said Wednesday that he was doubtful the presidential election would be held on time. “The presidential election in Afghanistan is very sensitive, important and questionable. Afghan politicians both inside and outside the country doubt the government’s this intent. The world community has its own questions. I think this is not easy, either the election gets postponed or is held timely but with the loads of problems,” said Rashid.

The independent election commission slated presidential election in April, 2019, with a commissioner, Sayed Hafizullah Hashemi, saying that they have enough sources and budget that let them hold presidential and provincial council elections together.

But Rashid believes that those candidates who fail in the legislative election, would not accept the results and this would affect on the presidential election.

Hashemi rejected this thought, saying the commission was fully prepared and would held next year’s election timely and transparently.

“We are not worried in this regard. We are ready to do it, just the matter of concern is financial resources, budget has not been provided, security problems are still steady and we call on the government to pay attention to these problems. The commission is ready and will hold presidential election at its time,” said Hashemi.