Senators barred from speaking about runners

KABUL on Tuesday barred its members from speaking for or against presidential runners Dr. Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai and Dr. Abdullah Abdullah.

During a debate on Saturday’s runoff election, Senator Baz Mohammad Zurmati alleged large-scale irregularities. He asked the electoral bodies to probe complaints in an impartial manner.

“The candidates have asked no one to commit fraud in the vote, but a number of people have done so on their own,” the upper house member observed.

His colleague from central Bamyan province Hidayatullah Rihayee urged the presidential hopefuls to exercise patience and respect the commission’s decision. “The commissions should announce a result based on genuine votes.”

Dad Mohammad Andar, a public representative from southern Ghazni province, praised the Afghan forces for creating an enabling environment for the election. He suggested an extra salary for each of the security personnel.

A woman senator from Kandahar province, Rana Tarin, also commended the peaceful conduct of the crucial vote.  She called for the runners not to make provocative statements about the process.

Chairman Fazal Hadi Muslimyar stressed the need for the commissions to tally votes in a transparent manner. “The commissions’ decisions should be acceptable to all,” he said, seeking cash incentives for the security forces.

He ruled members would not be allowed to speak for or against the candidates in the house. “Anyone violating this ruling would not be allowed to sit here,” he said, drawing a positive response from the senators.

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