GARDEZ (Pajhwok): Due to rifts among members, the provincial council of southeastern Paktia has not elected its administrative board so far, an official said on Monday.

The provincial council has 15 members, who are divided into two main groups. Eight members on the one side are pitted against six others in the opposite camp. A 15th member is independent.

Each group blames the other for showing no interest in conducting the administrative board elections.

Muhammad Rehman, head of the six-member group, told Pajhwok Afghan News his rivals were being influenced by some officials including lawmakers to delay the elections.

“Our rival group is under the influence of officials and some public representatives not to go for the election,” he claimed.

But Taj Muhammad Mangal, part of the eight-member group, said his opponents -- supported by some Wolesi Jirga members -- wanted the top slot in the administrative board.

Rehmatullah Haqmal, director of the Independent Election Commission (IEC), confirmed council was a divided house and its members had shown no interest in electing the administrative board.

He said efforts were being made to break the stalemate between the two groups and thereby pave the way for development activities in the province.

rm/mud