TARINKOT (Pajhwok):  The provincial council (PC) of central Uruzgan province on Sunday finally voted to elect its administrative board about seven months after the elected body was inaugurated.
However, six members of the nine-member council attended the ballot that took place at the governor’s house.
Acting provincial governor Amanullah Taimuri thanked the provincial council members for holding the election and meeting the required threshold.
He said the protracted delay in election of the provincial council administrative board had created numerous problems for local residents.
He hoped people would be able to get their problems addressed after the administrative board’s election that was put on hold for seven months.
Independent Election Commission (IEC) representative in Uruzgan, Jan Mohammad Baryal, said all the PC members had been invited to the ballot, but still three members did not turn up.
The PC members elected Abdullah Haqbin as head, Mohammad Karim Karimi his deputy and Abdul Karim Khadimzai as secretary.
The newly-elected PC chief told Pajhwok Afghan News the election could not be conducted for the last seven months due to differences among the members.
He said they would try to serve the people of Uruzgan in the remaining time in line with the relevant law and principles.
PC member Hayatullah Afzali, who did not partake in the ballot, called the election as illegal and symbolic.
He told Pajhwok Afghan News the election was conducted by the governor who wanted his men to succeed.
Another absent PC member Amir Mohammad Barakzai claimed he had not been informed about the ballot. However, he said he was happy that the election took place in a proper manner ending the deadlock.
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