Ghani, CE to hold parallel swearing-in ceremonies

Monitoring Desk

KABUL: The Presidential Palace said that preparations for President Ghani’s swearing-in ceremony were completed and the event will be held on Monday, March 9.

The ceremony was scheduled to take place earlier but delayed because of the “rumors about coronavirus in Afghanistan” and the short notice for world leaders to attend the inauguration, according to the Palace.

“Committees are tasked and working on the list of guests. Guests will be from home and abroad,” said LatifMahmood, deputy spokesman for Presidential Palace.

Meanwhile, CE Abdullah Abdullah’s office also spoke of a swearing-in ceremony for Abdullah to also assume the role of president of Afghanistan on the same day.

“The elders of the country will participate. We also invited our international colleagues and they will also participate at the ceremony of the inclusive government,” said OmidMaisam, deputy spokesman for CE Abdullah Abdullah’s office.

Based on the election law, the swearing-in ceremony for the president must be held within 30 days of the election announcement.

“Disagreement in Kabul will cause us to lose the opportunity of the peace process with the Taliban” said NasrullahStanikzai, Kabul university professor.

Afghanistan’s Independent Election Commission (IEC) announced Ghani the winner of the September 28, 2019 election, but President Ashraf Ghani’s rival Abdullah rejected the election result and claimed victory and vowed to form a “inclusive government.”(TOLOnews)