MPs want final results in stipulated time

KABUL) to announce the final results from the April 5 elections in the stipulated time.

The call comes as the IEC delayed a planned release of preliminary results until Saturday to allow for recounts and audits.

The results were expected on Thursday, but IEC secretary Ziaulhaq Amarkhil said in a statement they would be postponed until at least Saturday to ensure they are not tainted by fraud. “The commission is responsible to the Afghan electorate,” said Amarkhil.

The full results, now expected on Saturday, will still be preliminary and must be further investigated by a separate Election Complaints Commission before final results are to be announced May 14.

Lower House speaker Abdul Rauf Ibrahimi told today’s session the election results had a great importance for Afghanistan to see a peaceful transfer of power from one elected government to another.

He said the results should be announced as per schedule because a delay in releasing the outcome could erode people’s trust on the election process and the election commission.

“For the sake of transparency in the election process, the Wolesi Jirga is sending a letter to the election commission to call for the results to be declared as schedule,” Ibrahimi said.

Lawmaker Bashir Ahmad Tayanj said the people were impatiently waiting for the results and the election commission should announce them on time.

“The commission has delayed the preliminary results for undeclared reasons, a decision that shows the electoral body is under pressure from an outside force,” he suspected.

His colleague from Takhar province Qutratullah Zaki said the results should be fair and acceptable because the Afghans had risked their lives by partaking in the elections.

He cautioned if the election commission tried to pave the way for a presidential candidate to emerge winner through fraud, it would be held responsible for any bad consequences.

Similar views were expressed by other lawmakers.

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