KABUL (PAN): A parliamentary vote in Afghanistan will be held May 22 this year, a top election official confirmed on Saturday, but said about $50 million needed from the international community to meet the election's estimated budget of $120 million. Chief officer of Afghanistan's elections commission Ali Najafi told a press conference the national vote will be held May 22 despite widespread international concern that the country's electoral system needs serious reform. However, he said Afghanistan needs about $50 million from the international community to meet the election's estimated budget of $120 million. It was not clear whether the vote would or could be held if donor countries don't provide the money. President Karzai has insisted the constitution, which specifies the elections be held by May, must be observed. Najafi said security in the insurgency-ridden country would be a concern for the elections and said the vote would not be held in areas where it could not be ensured. He suggested voters from those areas could travel elsewhere to cast votes. In the presidential election, that arrangement was made for voters in 10 districts. Under Afghan constitution, the date of national elections should be announced 140 prior to the polling day for the 249 seats. Article 83 says: "Members of the Wolesi Jirga are elected by the people through free, general, secret and direct elections. The term of the Wolesi Jirga ends June 22. The election of the members of the Wolesi Jirga shall be held within 30 to 60 days before the end of the term of the Wolesi Jirga." While article 85 of the same law about the qualification of a candidate states he/she should be Afghan citizen, have not been convicted by a court for committing crimes and should be at least 25 years old at the date of candidacy. Najafi said a complete schedule of the elections would be announced 120 days prior to the polling day in line with the election law. He said IEC had asked security organs for maintaining security during the elections process. He said more details would be unveiled in upcoming press conferences. mnm/ma