Officials attending poll rallies to face music: IEC

ASADABAD (Pajhwok): The Independent Election Commission (IEC) on Friday said it would investigate electoral law violations by government officials attending campaign rallies for presidential candidates.

IEC Secretary Ziaul Haq Amarkhel told reporters in eastern Kunar province some government officials had been found campaigning for specific candidates and the issue would be thoroughly probed before their names being made public.

He said details of the investigation would be shared with President Karzai and efforts in this regard had been expedited in order to prevent the law violations.

Amarkhel said officials attending election rallies had breached the election laws and the presidential decree and the IEC would investigate the issue.

He was optimistic a second round run-off vote would not occur and in case occurred, the election commission was ready to manage it.

 “The IEC has approved the use of two indelible inks to ensure transparency. Voters will be unable to completely wash off the inks applied to their thumbs for three days,” he assured.

On ballot papers and voter cards, Amarkhel said high quality ballot papers printed abroad could not be duplicated.

He reiterated no one, including officials, candidates and foreigners, would be allowed to interfere in the election process.

rm/ma

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