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Council candidates hold out promises beyond powers

Council candidates hold out promises beyond powers

author avatar
10 Mar 2014 - 23:08
Council candidates hold out promises beyond powers
author avatar
10 Mar 2014 - 23:08

KABUL (Pajhwok): To exaggerate and spin their way to victory, some provincial council candidates have held out promises to voters in campaign slogans, which under the law, seem to exceed their powers.

Many common Afghans believe such slogans can earn provincial council candidates defeat instead of victory in the elections.

More than 2700 individuals, including 306 females, are contesting on 458 provincial council seats. It has been a week since campaigning for the elections due on April 5 began.

Candidate Watandost’s slogan is “rebuilding and reconstructing beloved Kabul.” He perhaps raised this slogan to attract attention of those having suffered in this regard.

There are areas and streets in Kabul which are left inundated after rains, despite the huge amounts of dollars given to the country in aid over the past more than a decade.

Watandost seems unaware about his basic responsibility, which is giving advice.

Another candidate, Fazlullah Saleh, says his mission is “to ensure freedom of speech and end violence against women.”

“Combating corruption and countering narcotics” is the slogan of Eng. Farhad Sakhi, another provincial council candidate.

Though his slogan is somehow in conformity with the Provincial Council Law, under which a council member can cooperate with the relevant authorities in this regard.

Candidate Prof. Mohammad Aziz Mansoor in his campaign slogan says “he will implement laws as well as social justice.”

A runner in southern Kandahar province, Mohammad Kabir Darwesh, says “he will contribute to the fight against insurgents to bring peace.”

His fellow candidate Haji Agha Lalai Dastagir says if wins he would work to ensure residents are provided with healthcare services. While, candidate Haji Niaz Mohammad Kakozai talks about the implementation of laws.

Kakozai says his efforts would range from implementing Sharia law, country’s laws to ensuring justice.

Similarly, Sarina Faizi and Sardar Mohammad Yusuf are candidates whose slogans evolve around equal justice, promotion of education and fighting corruption.

In northern Balkh province, provincial candidates have made promises about issues that seem beyond their authority or impossible to resolve under the current circumstances.

A Balkh council candidate Mohammad Shafi Khari says supporting public and private sector education institutes, developing commerce, agriculture and education sectors and defending the rights of people with disabilities will be among his priorities.

While Mohammad Iqbal says he his fight will be against unemployment, poverty and starvation.

Zabihullah Kakar would strive to end joblessness and injustices and Atta Mohammad Sharafyar will support students and promote education.

Similar promises have been made by candidates in eastern Nangarhar province. However, some people appreciate their slogans and argue the candidates have expressed their intentions and feelings to do some good for the country.

A Kabul resident Mohammad Rafique hoped these candidates would honour their pledges.

But another resident in Thaimani area, Shafiqullah, questioned if these candidates lacked information about their responsibilities, how could they serve the people?

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