Call to open more voter centres in Baghlan

PUL-I-KHUMRI (PAN) to increase the number of voter registration centres in the capital of northern Baghlan province.

Second phase of the campaign was launched a month back to register four million eligible voters across the nation.

Many people in Pul-i-Khumri, the provincial capital, said the number of people coming to registration centers increased on a daily basis, but they found the centres overcrowded.

They complained the only registration centre in the city could not deal with the increasing number of visitors, who waited for several days to obtain voter cards.

Mohammad Aziz, a community leader, said some people returned homes without receiving the cards after they observed crowds in front of the registration facility. He said most women avoided visiting the all-time jam-packed centre.

Bibi Sahar Gul, a resident of Shash Sadkoti area in Pul-i-Khumri, said she visited the centre for two consecutive days with other family members but failed to obtain the voter card.

The 33-year-old said: “We are enthusiastic to participate in the elections, but the everyday crowds and lack of registration facilities lead to wastage of our time. We maynot be able to receive the cards.”  

She said there were many people who wanted to participate in the presidential elections, but they were discouraged by the lack of facilities.

IEC regional head in Baghlan Mohammad Malik Hanifi said the issue of fewer number of registration centres had been shared with high ups in Kabul, but there had been no encouraging signs.

mrh/ma

Visits: 0