Council boards’ chiefs elected amid criticism

TIRINKOT/ASADABAD (PAN): Administrative boards’ elections of provincial councils in central Uruzgan and eastern Kunar provinces were held on Wednesday amid allegations of favoritism.

The voting took place in the presence of officials from the Governor’s House, Independent Election Commission (IEC (UNAMA) and human rights commission.

In Uruzgan, Jan Mohammad Popal was elected as chief of the council’s administrative board, while Mohammad Naeem Khan as secretary.

But the board’s former chief, Amanullah Hotaki, who failed to pull out victory, accused the Governor’s House of supporting his rival in the election.

He claimed having evidence of local officials’ involvement in paving the ground for his rival candidate to succeed. “The government departments in this province are corrupt,” he said.

However, Deputy Governor Khudai Rahim rejected his claims, saying the elections held in a transparent manner.

In eastern Kunar, Mian Hassan Adil was elected as the council administrative board’s chief and Ismail as secretary. 

Speaking to Pajhwok Afghan News, Governor Fazlullah Wahidi said the poll was transparent. But a failing candidate for the top slot, Nuruddin said the election had been rigged.

Surrounded by his supporters, Nurridin said the Governor’s House wanted to create rifts among tribes in the eastern province.

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