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KABUL: A presidential candidate team “Peace and Moderation” has expressed its deepest concerns on the latest IEC’s unanticipated announcement to further delay the Afghan Presidential Elections to 28th September 2019 that previously set for 20 July.
Based on the Afghan Constitution and applicable laws, the presidential election was initially planned for 21st of April 2019. However, through initial government’s middling and direct pressure, it was postponed to 20th July 2019.
“This unanticipated decision to delay the election by an additional two months, is an unconstitutional, unilateral decision, and is without express views and participation of the candidates, political parties or any civil society groups,” Spokesman for the Peace and Moderation, Qadir Shah said.
In response to this illegal decision, the Peace and Moderation Team expresses its deepest reservations and states that:
1. IEC’s announcement shows Afghan government’s direct meddling in the affairs of this body and by extension, the election process. It also shows an utter lack of respect for the rule of law and Afghan people’s views. This will consequently result in Afghan people’s lack of trust for a transparent and open elections.
2. This unexpected IEC’s decision, not only shows Afghan government’s express intentions to meddle in all affairs of the upcoming elections but also their total lack oversight and capacity, despite months of delay, to conduct a transparent election on time.
3. Afghan government’s lack of oversight capabilities and illegal meddling in the election affairs will also leads to a growing lack of trust by the Afghan people and political processes. This will further undermine Afghans and international community’s trust for a transparent election. As the current National Unity Government terms come to an end by the month of jawza, we call for formation of a caretaker government to also lead a transparent presidential election.
The Peace and Unity Team, therefore, categorically rejects the IEC’s decision to further delay the elections date and will not accept any unilateral decision without a broad-based participation and consultation of all the candidates and political parties in the country, he added.
