FEFA anticipates lower voter turnout

KABUL (FEFA) on Thursday alleged the use of government resources in the campaign for the runoff presidential polls.

FEFA chief Nader Naderi told reporters in Kabul they had monitored campaign activities across the country from May 22 to June 11. Both candidates used state resources at the hustings, he said.  

“Like in other countries, candidates here also used national resources in an effort to muster votes. In a survey conducted before the first round of elections, respondents had said they would not vote on the basis of ethnic affiliations,” the FEFA head added.

He also pointed to campaign negativity, blaming the contenders for raising issues related to their personal lives. He asked the runners to cooperate with the authorities in checking violations of rules.

Commitments from candidates and their supporters were essential to contain fraud, he believed, remarking: “We should jointly endeavour to prevent irregularities in the democratic exercise.”

Naderi called on the election management bodies to learn from past mistakes and avoid their repeat in the runoff. The crucial vote must be conducted in a way acceptable to both contenders and all Afghans, he stressed.

In response to a question, he said: “We anticipate a lower turnout in the runoff.  In the previous round, public motivation had played a key role.” FEFA plans to deploy 9,000 election observers across the country.

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