People from central provinces look at election differently

KABUL): Some of the residents from central provinces liked parliamentary election process while some of them complained of security problems and fraud cases.

The parliamentary elections were held on September 18, 2010 while the polling continued all the day from morning to evening.

Zmarak Noori, resident of old Macroryan of central capital Kabul voted at Lamia Shahid High School in the area said presence of so many observers during the election process might cause disturbance.  

“I haven’t seen any fraud personally but irregularities at voting centers will pave way for fraud,” he said.

He was glad as a whole with the elections and called it as a great opportunity for the country.

Fahimullah, 35, from Qala Zaman Khan area of the city told Pajhwok Afghan News he did not cast his vote as several former Jihadi commanders were elected during last round and former parliament had no performed well.

 Qari Rahmatullah resident of Baraki Barak district of Logar province complained of security problems in the district and said polling stations remained close due to security issues and many people including him were deprived of casting their votes.

Although the polling centers were opened in their village but still most of people avoided visiting there to cast votes due to Taliban‘s threat, complained Haroon, a local from Dawood Khel area of Lugar.

Taliban had spread night letters and warned locals, not to participate in the elections otherwise they would be killed but still some of them voted, he said.

“In my view, people’s participation in the process, although in limited number, in such conditions is a success,” Haroon said.

Muhibullah, 23, resident of Nijrab district of Kapisa province said he did not witness any fraud and casted his vote with full confidence.

 “I have cast my vote while there was no problem and I have not seen any fraud at all so I am happy with the process,” said Naseer Ahmad, 22, resident of Charikar capital of northern Parwan province.

He termed the elections as successful and hopes next parliament would work better and serve the people well.

According to Najeebullah, resident of Maidan Shahr, capital of Maidan Wardak, he was satisfied with the elections process and he had casted his vote too.

Early in the morning the city was targeted with a rocket, fired from an undisclosed location but the incident did not stop voting, Najeebullah said and added the number of voters was more than it was in the Presidential elections.

Abdul Mateen, a local from Chak district of Maidan Wardak province and freelance journalist said people of the district did not participated due to militants’ influence in the area.

“One cannot say these are free elections as there are security problems in most areas of the country and people will be unable to participate in the process,” he feared.

But in fact security was not a major concern in all areas as there were other problems too. Masooma, resident of Zargaran village of Bamyan city complained, “I stood for almost four hours in a line to cast my vote but failed as the officials told me ballot papers are not available.”

According to reports, four other polling centers were closed early afternoon in Yakawlang district of Bamyan province due to shortage of ballot papers which deprived some 2000 people of their right to franchise.

The parliamentary elections process was not transparent as non-availability of ballot papers meant fraud, committed by Independent Elections Commission (IEC), she said.

Meanwhile, IEC explained ballot papers were already sent to all areas in sufficient number according to the survey they made but people participated in large number unlike it was expectation.

 

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