Taliban can also receive voting cards: IEC

KABUL’s nominal participation in the process.

The first phase of the voter registration process was set in motion on May 26 in Kabul and all provincial capitals, covering about four million eligible people.

Up to 120,000 individuals, including 30,000 women, had been issued vote cards at 41 registration centre, an Independent Election Commission (IEC) spokesman said.

Noor Mohammad Noor told a press conference registration material had been transferred to 300 districts. More than 80 towns have yet to be supplied with the materials for the second phase, due to begin on July 27.

The number of registration centres would reach 441 before the second phase commenced, he said. “We are still faced with problems, especially in hiring female workers in 45 districts.”

In order to address the challenge, the authorities would try to hire female staff from nearby districts, the spokesman explained. If female staff could not be found, elderly educated people could be considered.

Noor said they would also try to encourage women to participate in the process through civil society organisations, prayer leaders and the Ministry of Haj.

Militant groups could also get voting cards to participate in next year’s presidential and provincial elections, the spokesman said. “We are not against anyone. We issue cards regardless of holder’s ethnicity, political affiliations, caste and belief.”

Voter cards are also being distributed to the Afghans returning from abroad, those who have migrated from one province to another, people who have lost their old cards or those who have turned 18 since the last registration drive.

myn

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