KABUL (Pajhwok): The Independent Election Commission (IEC) on Wednesday said election workers if found guilty of fraud and violations during the October parliamentary elections would be introduced to judicial organs.
The electoral law’s article 23, clause four, says the commission shall dismiss from job those permanent and temporary electoral employees who breach the provisions of this law or other relevant laws, and shall refer them to the relevant competent authorities for legal prosecution.
Hawa Alam Nursitani, IEC head, told a press conference here that IEC employees who were found guilty of fraud and violations in the Wolesi Jirga polls would be punished.
According to here, individuals who lost biometric sets or did not supply electoral materials to polling stations would face legal punishment in this regard.
A copy of the IEC decision received by Pajhwok Afghan News said “IEC secretary has to implement this decision within a week in both capital and provincial offices and report back to the central office at the earliest possible.”
Nuristani also expressed her deep concern over not receiving budget from the government and donor countries.
Mualana Mohammad Abdullah, a commissioner at the IEC, told the press conference that they had addressed a number of problems and would address more as well.
Meanwhile, Mohammad Naeem Ayubzada, the Transparent and Fair Election Foundation of Afghanistan (TIFA) head, said the IEC had made all preparations for the upcoming election but lack of budget was a matter of concern.
He accused the internationally community of not honestly supporting the IEC for the presidential election.
pk/ma