MPs want provincial poll results unveiled

KABUL members on Saturday asked the Independent Election Commission ((EC) to announce the final results of provincial council polls as soon as possible.

As many as 2,600 candidates, including 308 women, contested the provincial council elections that were held on April 5, simultaneously with the first round of the presidential ballot.

In the preliminary result announced by the IEC on May 20, 458 candidates were declared successful. The final results, scheduled for June 7, have been delayed for unknown reasons.

Lawmakers discussed the delay in a general session today. MP Saleh Mohammad Saleh criticised the IEC, saying the delay was creating doubts and confusion among candidates. He asked the commission to give clear the reasons for the delay.

His colleague from central Bamyan province, Fakoori Beheshti, held a similar view. He asked the Wolesi Jirga to oversee the election result and prevent possible interference in the process.

Deputy Speaker Mohammad Siddique Usmani and other legislators urged the panel and the president to ensure the early result announcement.

“If the fate of provincial candidates remains unclear, we would face problems in approving new laws. We have approved some that are yet to be endorsed by Meshrano Jirga,” Usmani argued.

Two-thirds of upper house members are elected by provincial council members. Under Article 84 of the constitution, one representative from each provincial council is chosen for the Meshrano Jirga for four years.

Similarly, one representative from each district councils is chosen for the Senate for three years and a third of members are nominated by the president.

District councils are yet to be formed and their members are currently picked from provincial councils. IEC officials say they are trying to unveil the results but the investigation process is yet to be completed.

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