KABUL (PAN): The Independent Joint Anti-Corruption Monitoring & Evaluation Committee (MEC) on Monday proposed framing campaign finance regulations to contain possible fraud in next year’s presidential elections.
In response to concerns about possible irregularities, the MEC asked the Independent Election Commission (IEC) and the Ministry of Finance to work together with the High Office of Oversight and Anti-Corruption (HOOAC) to monitor and verify the expenditure of candidates and political parties.
The committee also called for the Independent Electoral Complaints Commission (IECC) to ensure polling staff was properly y trained to mitigate fraudulent activity noted in past elections. A recent review identified monitoring gaps that create opportunities for corruption, including the abuse of official positions or government resources, it added.
An effective regime to register and verify all income sources for parties and candidates and to monitor expenses is essential in mitigating possible abuse, but how the IEC and Ministry of Finance intended to regulate election campaign financing remained unclear, an MEC statement said.
“The IEC should set requirements for candidates to register their assets and expenditures to increase transparency in the e elections. In addition, the IEC and the Ministry of Finance should verify sources of income and assets of candidates and parties in cooperation with the HOOAC),” the body suggested.
MEC Chairman Drago Kos noted: “The general environment of corruption and conduct of past elections in Afghanistan raises concerns that future elections are susceptible to corruption and fraud.
“For this reason, MEC as the independent voice monitoring national and international anti-¬corruption efforts in Afghanistan asks the IEC to increase transparency in the election campaign financing by implementing a mechanism to register, verify and monitor campaign expenditures.”
pr/mud
