MAIDAN SHAHR (Pajhwok): None of presidential and provincial council candidates has paid taxes on the billboards they have installed in various parts of Maidan Shahr, officials said on Saturday.
Posters, photographs and billboards of the runners had been displayed illegally in various parts of the Maidan Wardak capital by their campaigners, Mayor Eng. Mahmood Amiri told Pajhwok Afghan News.
He put the tax payable by candidates at 2 million afghanis, saying his department had been unable to establish contacts with the runners despite hectic efforts.
Amiri added the issue had been shared both with Independent Electoral Complaints Commission (IECC) officials and campaign teams of the runners.
Nafisa Sialai Wardak, a provincial council candidate, acknowledged the problem, saying she had received a notice from the electoral watchdog. The IECC asked her to pay the tax to the municipality.
She urged all candidates to respect municipality rules and clear the taxes.
Meanwhile, IEC local head for Maidan Wardak, Eng. Noorullah, said they were taking steps after the issue was shared with them by the municipality. He added campaigners had pledged to pay the levy next week.
mm/mud