Political parties to push jointly for clean presidential vote

KABUL): Nearly a two dozens political groups, including two major opposition parties, on Sunday announced the formation of a joint council “coordination council” to jointly push for a transparent and fraud-free 2014 presidential election, the politicians said.

They said the council, a coalition of 20 political parties, including Afghanistan National Coalition (NSC) and Afghanistan National Front (ANF), was aimed at joining forces to cope with the ongoing crises in Afghanistan.

The council that met for the first time on Sunday after its formation announced the joint stance on political issues, especially on the next presidential election, and manifesto.

The manifesto says: “Transparent presidential, parliamentary, provincial council, municipalities polls are key to strengthening the country’s political system, national unity and realizing people that their rights are being endorsed.”

Dr. Anwar, who represents the Hezb-i-Islami of Afghanistan (registered) in the council, said the manifesto was a collection of opinions agreed to by all member political parties of the council.

To a question, he said: “If the council fails to introduce a consensus presidential candidate, we will keep trying to ensure a transparent and fair election.”

He said the council stressed transparency in polls, reforms in electoral system, timely elections based on constitution, the distribution of electronic identity cards, voter cards and a complete and impartial census of the country’s population.  

The council said the presidential election should be held under national and international observers and the vote be transparent, secure and free of interference from government officials and other people. 

It warned of a serious political turmoil if any change was brought to the scheduled timetable of the upcoming presidential election and if the vote was rigged again.

Right and Justice party spokesman Hamidullah Farooqi said: “Less than one and a half year remain to go for the presidential poll, but very little homework has been done by the government to ensure that the vote is going to be transparent.”

He said political parties were deeply concerned over the sluggish approach by the government towards the upcoming elections.

He hoped the government would take realistic steps to bring about viable reforms to the electoral system and hold the election as scheduled.

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