Government afraid of transparent elections: Manawi

KABUL (Pajhwok): Former Independent Election (IEC) chief Fazl Ahmad Manawi on Friday claimed the government had no intention to hold parliamentary elections and was afraid of fair vote.

Speaking at a gathering of the Afghanistan Salvation Alliance here, Manawi, a former judge, said the government had not yet reached the conclusion whether it could hold the next year’s elections or not.

He said the government was afraid of a strong parliament and thus trying to repeat the 1393 elections.

“The international community wants elections to Wolesi Jirga and district councils on schedule, but if the government intends to hold elections like it did in 1393, it would be better not to hold the elections.”

Manawi said the incumbent IEC members were not independent and they were worst than their predecessors because they were insulted and their chief removed illegally.

Similarly, the former IEC chief said the government had no intention to bring peace and the Taliban were also not willing to reconcile with the government.

Other speakers also criticized the government performance.

ma