APSC wants parliamentary vote held in early 2016

KABUL Protection and Stability Council (APSC) has asked to the government to hold parliamentary and district council elections in early 2016 not between summer and autumn of the next year.

A statement from the APSC’s media wing said the delay in holding elections had postponed the arrangement of a Loya Jirga, a promise the unity government had made to legalise the current setup by amending the Constitution.

The council, however, welcomed the government’s decision to hold the parliamentary and district council elections next year, but said the elections might not be held as per the government’s announcement due to growing insecurity.

President Ashraf Ghani had said his government is ready to hold parliamentary and district council elections between summer and autumn of next year.

The president made the pledge during separate meetings with members of the Electoral Reform Commission and the selection committee at the Presidential Palace on Dec 29.

The president, who was briefed on its latest report by the reform commission, urged the selection committee to consider proposals of the reform commission in its activities.

Ghani said the exact dates for holding parliamentary and district council elections were for the Independent Election Commission to announce under the relevant law.

The Wolesi Jirga’s five-year term was set to expire on June 22 this year, but elections due in April were postponed because of security fears and disagreement on how to ensure a fair vote after a disputed presidential election last year.

nh/ma