Ghani asks Taliban to take part in elections

Monitoring Desk

KABUL: Afghan President Muhammad Ashraf Ghani and first lady inaugurated the voter registration by registering their names in the voter lists here on Saturday. Asking the Taliban to take part in election as a political party, President Ghani urged them to utilize the opportunity of peace.

Election was a source to create political and ideological reforms through the transparent votes of people, he said, adding that useful politics should replace forced politics as people were fed up of wars. Saying that the Afghan government was determined to hold polls, he stressed on the civil and military officials to pay respect to the Independent Election Commission (IEC). Interference in the affairs of IEC was not acceptable, he added.

Asking the IEC to carry on their duties neutrally and sincerely, President Muhammad Ashraf Ghani said the election commission was responsible to perform on neutral basis. Lauding the role of media in the electoral process, the president demanded of the civil societies, political parties and international community to monitor the upcoming elections. He asked the IEC to make preparations for presidential elections next year.

No candidate had the right to make interference in election, he said. He urged the IEC and other organizations to treat the disobedient and fraudulent elements with iron hands. The IEC has announced that the upcoming Wolesi Jirga and district council elections would be held throughout the country on October 20, this year.