26 law violations during presidential campaign

KABUL (FFEFA) on Thursday said it had recorded 26 cases of electoral law violations during the presidential election campaign.

In its report released on Thursday, the watchdog said the findings were compiled during a month’s time by its 200 field workers in the country’s 34 provinces.

FFEFA executive chief Jandad Spinghar said the law violations took place during 123 campaign events and rallies for presidential candidates.

He told a news conference the violations included threats, misuse of government resources, participation of government officials in campaign gatherings and campaigning in a wrongly manner.

He said 300 cases recorded were related to displaying posters in prohibited areas and three cases concerned financial affairs of candidates.

Spinghar said no Electoral Complaints Commission (ECC) offices in some areas also resulted in law violations during the electioneering.

About insecurity, he said the campaign remained confined to provincial capitals and areas where the government had an upper hand over insurgents.

Kabul, Balkh, Herat, Kandahar and Nangarhar were among provinces, where campaigners felt themselves secure, but they could not openly campaign in Nuristan, Kunar, Zabul, Uruzgan and Khost provinces due security concerns, he said.

He cited bad weather conditions another problem that restricted campaign teams from their job. The electioneering had been slow-paced during its first month due to cold weather and heavy snowfalls in some provinces, he said.

In its report, FFEFA asked security organs to ensure campaign office of presidential and provincial candidates were secure and help people widely take part in the April 5 elections without any fears.

The report also asked the Independent Election Commission (IEC) to release election releted information to the media and let reporters also participate and cover its meetings on important issues.

The report also called on international organisations to increase their role in monitoring the elections.

mds/ma

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