Candidates warned against links with illegal militias

JALALABAD (Pajhwok): The Independent Electoral Complaints Commission (IECC) on Thursday said Wolesi Jirga candidates, if found linked to illegal militias, would be removed from the candidate list.

Dr. Ali Reza Rouhani, IECC spokesman and secretary, issued the warning during a joint press conference with Nangarhar governor Hayatullah Hayat in Jalalabad.

The IECC official said they had so far registered 100 complaints accusing candidates of law violations since the beginning of the election campaign.

He said most of the complaints were about pasting one candidate’s posters over the other and similar other charges.

He said candidates who were found guilty of violating the election law would face legal action, cash fines, warnings and advises from the IECC.

But candidates who were proved to have connections with illegal armed groups would be removed from the list, he added.

Rouhani said their offices in the capital and provinces were permanent and their representatives would also be present at polling stations on the Election Day.

Governor Hayat assured that all preparations including security measures were in place for the polls and the provincial administration was decisive in ensuring transparency in the democratic process.

He said no one would be allowed to interfere in the election process — a reason he advised his brother not to contest the elections.

Shekib Kamjo, the IECC head for Nangarhar, said they had registered 26 complaints against candidates before the electioneering period had started and so far there were 45 complaints in total.

He said 11 candidates were fined from 50,000 to 100,000 afghanis, 10 candidates were advised and five others warned.

mds/ma

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