KABUL (Pajhwok): A number of unsuccessful female Wolesi Jirga candidates, who have been protesting over the two months by erecting a tent in Kabul, say the government had promised to create a special committee for processing their documents.
Around 20 candidates from Helmand, Kandahar, Nangarhar, Maidan Wardak, Paktika, Logar, Baghlan, Takhar, Badakhshan, Samangan, Herat and the Kuchi tribe have been demanding the formation of a special court to address election related disputes.
The candidates accuse the election commissions of large scale fraud in the last Wolesi Jirga elections and demand the creation of a special tribunal for addressing election related complaints.
On the 60th day of their protest, the female candidates today once again threatened self-immolation in front of the Presidential Palace if their demands were not responded.
Hila Mujtaba, one of these candidates from Paktika province, talking to Pajhwok Afghan News, said, “Two months have gone since we are protesting, we ask the government to create a special court or committee for our rights, so our documents are processed accurately.” She said three of her colleagues were currently on hunger strike.
Mujtaba said National Security Advisor Hamdullah Mohib on Saturday met them at their tent and assured them the government was trying to solve the candidates’ problem.
She said, “Mohib promised the government would soon create a committee for addressing our complaints.” Mohib asked candidates who were on hunger strike to end their hunger and they accepted his request, she added.
She warned if their complaints were not fairly addressed, all the protesting candidates would go on hunger strike.
A Pajhwok reporter visiting Bassum Hospital in Kabul said one of the candidates, Rahima Taraki, could not speak well due to her inability and hunger.
Hasibullah, a doctor in Blassum Hospital, said that Rahima Taraki was suffering from high blood pressure and sugar.
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