KABUL (PAN): The Free and Fair Election Foundation of Afghanistan (FFEFA) said on Thursday that 52 cases of election law violations by presidential and provincial council candidates had been detected during the past 18 days.
FFEFA head Jan Dad Spinghar told journalists 66 observers of the foundation had found 52 cases of violations - 44 by presidential candidates and eight by provincial council hopefuls.
Fifteen of the cases happened in Parwan, seven in Khost, five in Ghazni, as many in Paktia, four in Laghman and the rest in other provinces, according to the official.
He added government employees were seen attending campaign activities of candidates during their duty hours. This amounted to a sheer violation of the electoral law, he said, adding government resources were being used by some candidates.
Spinghar said, according to the report of FFEFA observers, voters in 10 provinces were gravely concerned at insecurity, fearing attacks from insurgents in the build-up to and during the elections.
He said opening of polling stations in 14 districts was not currently possible. Some of the districts were under Taliban's control, he argued.
"We appreciate the steps taken by national and international forces for maintaining security for the elections, but we dont view these measures as sufficient because there is a need for doing more to build up people's confidence," Spinghar remarked.
FFEFA officials fear the people would be discouraged if violations of the poll law continued unchecked. This could lead to a low turnout in the elections, they argue.
