KABUL (PAN): The Independent Election Commission (IEC) chief on Monday said religious scholars and tribal elders could play a crucial role in encouraging people to participate in next year’s elections.
The conduct of elections had entered an important stage, where participation of religious scholars and elders was needed, IEC Chairman Ahmad Yousuf Nuristani told a seminar in Kabul.
Hundreds of tribal elders, religious leaders and provincial council members from different parts of the country attended the seminar on cooperation from spiritual leaders and influential figures in awareness about elections.
“Ulema can highlight the importance of free, fair and inclusive elections in their sermons and can convince people that the polls are not against Islam,” Nuristani said regarding the role of spiritual leaders.
For legitimate political transition, there was no option other rather than elections, he added.
IEC Secretary Ziaul Haq Amarkhel said the aim of the seminar was encouraging the masses to get voter cards. “I am sure Ulema would discharge their responsibility by motivating voters.”
myn/mud
