KABUL (Pajhwok): The Independent Election Commission (IEC) on Saturday promised the schedule for parliamentary and district council polls would be announced on Monday.
IEC Chairman Ahmad Yousuf Nuristani held out the promise to the Wolesi Jirga, which had summoned him to provide lawmakers with information on the parliamentary and district council elections.
Nuristani said the commission taken measures to prevent a repeat of past mistakes, including in the appointment of short-term workers, improving conditions inside polling stations and other areas.
He added the IEC had twice shared its plans for the elections with the government in 2014 and once in 2015. However, he alleged, the authorities paid no attention and instead created an illegal selection committee.
Based on the new IEC plan, schools will house polling stations, new voter cards will be distributed, lists of number of voters created and teachers hired as short-term workers, the official explained.
Nuristani informed legislators the plan had also shared with security organs. Without giving details, he said funding estimates for the election had been worked out and shared with the government.
Under Article 83 of the constitution, members of the Wolesi Jirga shall be elected by the people through free, general, secret and direct balloting. Tenure of the lower house ends after the announcement of the results of the elections on June 22 of the fifth year when a new parliament is supposed to embark on work.
The parliamentary elections will be held 30 to 60 days prior to the expiration of the assembly’s term. The ballot, which should have been conducted in April or May, was delayed due to lack of funds.
President Ashraf Ghani, subsequently, extended the Wolesi Jirga term on June 17 until the new election is conducted.
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