HERAT CITY (PAN): Campaign officials of two potential presidential candidates Dr. Abdullah Abdullah and Mirwais Yasini on Thursday blamed Karzai's team for violating election laws.
Nasir Khazi, head of Dr. Abdullah's election campaign, told a press conference here on Wednesday evening that tearing posters and participation of government officials in campaign rallies were against the electoral law.
"All these violations happen in an organized way in the rallies supporting Hamid Karzai. Government assets are used and officials threatened to campaign for him," he alleged.
He claimed the schools' headmasters, provincial council members and even government officials were directly involved in campaigning for the president, who is seeking reelection in the August 20 polls.
"Schools teachers have been asked to visit Karzai campaign offices and tell students to vote for Karzai," he further charged.
Khazi accused headmasters of Gawhar Shad, Mahri and Harawi high schools and some government officials of breaching elections law and openly campaigning for Karzai.
He also accused Herat National TV for lack of neutrality in its reports.
Safiullah Mujadidi, head of Mirwais Yasini's elections campaign, in Herat in the same press conference claimed he had evidence that police and government officials were involved in campaigning for Karzai.
He claimed that some officials were using government buildings for holding public meetings in support of Karzai.
Mujadidi said the the Karzai camp wanted people to stay away from casting their vote in areas where he lacked supporters and security in those areas were threatened intentionally.
Naqib Arwain, a spokesman for the governor of Herat, said that there were some complaints registered against unknown people involved in tearing down campaign posters, but no complaints about violation of election law have been reported so far.
"All government officials have been told not to interfere in elections campaigns," he said.
He warned that those found involved in breaking the law would be dealt with sternly.
He said that it was the responsibility of the government to provide all candidates with equal opportunities and security for their campaign.