Speaker urges free, fair elections

KABUL) to use all resources to ensure transparency in the ballot.

As the legislature entered the fourth year of its constitutional term, the speaker told the lower house Afghanistan was passing through a critical phase. Afghan forces would take over security across the country by the end of 2014, he said.

He underlined the need for all government institutions to remain neutral during the election process to ensure greater transparency. Addressing President Karzai, he said the Afghans wanted elections to be held in a peaceful environment under “your leadership”.

The 45-day winter break of the National Assembly ended on March 15. But the joint session had to be delayed following the demise of Marshal Muhammad Qasim Fahim, the first vice-president.

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