Sadat stresses election officials’ neutrality

KABUL (Pajhwok): Election officials on Sunday said questions about their neutrality would affect the legitimacy of the April 5 presidential and provincial polls.

Abdul Sattar Sadat, the Independent Electoral Complaint Commission (IECC) head, told reporters the ground for elections had been paved with the removal of complaints.

He acknowledged the ballot result would not be accepted by any party if the Independent Election Commission (IEC) did not demonstrate impartiality.

Sadat confirmed receiving complaints about the use of government machinery to ensure an understanding between Abdul Qayyum Karzai and Zalmai Rassoul.

A jirga that brought about the understanding between the two presidential contenders was funded by a government organ, according to complainants. However, Sadat said investigators failed to substantiate the allegations.

He reiterated candidates were not allowed to use government machinery in their campaign. But government servants can participate in campaign rallies and advise candidates in their personal capacity.

The IECC had addressed 3,004 complaints after announcement of the final list of candidates, Sadat added.

Nadir Mohseni, the IECC spokesman, said 128 provincial council candidates had been disqualified and the number might increase if the runners did not submit the required documents in time.

nh/mud

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