The Electoral Commissions’ Selection Committee alleged that some elements have infiltrated the Presidential Palace and are hindering electoral reforms.
Members of the committee called on President Ashraf Ghani to issue a decree on electoral reforms soon.
It has been a month since the Electoral Commissions Selection Committee stopped its activities.
Naeem Ayubzada, a member of the committee, said if the government does not pay attention the ground will be paved for some opportunists to hijack elections, then holding polls will be impossible.
“We urge the president to issue a constitutional decree. The decree should ensure the activities of the current selection committee,” he added.
The Presidential Palace, however, said that they are exploring ways to bring about reforms in the electoral system.
“The Second Vice-President [Sarwar Danish] is discussing the issue with both houses of the parliament— Wolesi Jirga and Meshrano Jirga— as well as prominent political figures to find a solution for electoral reforms,” said Sayed Zafar Hashemi, a spokesman to President Ashraf Ghani.
Election watchdog organizations expressed their concerns over the current stalemate on electoral reforms and threatened that if the situation prevails, it will question the legitimacy of the National Unity Government (NUG).
“If holding elections were challenged, convening a Loya Jirga will also be a challenge and government’s legitimacy, based on the political agreement [signed between the two leaders of the NU] will be questioned,” said Jandad Speenghar, a member of the Afghan Civil Society and Elections Network (ACSEN).
A number of civil society activists voiced their concerns that the stalemate will have a negative effect on electoral reforms.
“They [leaders of the NUG] should keep Afghanistan’s national interests in mind and should end the election deadlock,” said Mohammad Asef Hamraaz, a civil society activist.http://www.tolonews.com/en/afghanistan/23623-presidential-palace-elements-hindering-election-reforms-selection-committee
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