IEC decision on old voter cards denounced

 KABUL) decision allowing the use of old voter cards in next year’s presidential and provincial council polls.

Representatives of opposition coalitions, after a meeting in Kabul, voiced their aversion to the IEC plan, accepting both old voting cards, as well as computerised identity cards. 

The plan was approved after a series of consultative meetings with stakeholders, including mainstream political parties and civil society organisations over the past couple of months, the commission said.

Recently, the cabinet also approved the use of old cards, saying preparation of new ones involved $80 million expenses. The global community was unwilling to pay the money, it added.

“None of our demand has been met in the new election plan,” the opposition leaders complained, asking the government to stay away from interference in the process and let the Wolesi Jirga approve the draft.

Rahin Pashtunyar, a member of the council of opposition groups, told Pajhwok Afghan News they would announce their strategy if the government ignored their views and demands.

The government, political parties, the international community and the Taliban and could play a key role in the elections, he believed, alleging that recent attacks in Kabul were aimed to sabotage the presidential ballot.

If the three other actors stood united, credible polls could be ensured, said Mohammad Natiqee, another member of the council.

Meanwhile, Wisest People’s Party Chairman Abdul Hameed Jawad also warned against the use of voter cards in the elections. He said the move would lead to rigging.

Addressing a news conference in Jalalabad, the capital of eastern Nangarhar province, he called on the government to issue new voter cards or computerised identity cards to the people for ahead of elections.

ml/mud

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