Ghani urges nation, leaders to assist free polls

Monitoring Desk

KABUL: Afghan President Muhammad Ashraf Ghani has urged the nation and political leaders to extend their cooperation for free and transparent elections.

Addressing a gathering in connection with the withdrawal of former Soviet Union troops from Afghanistan at the Presidential Palace on Saturday (February 17), President Ghani said the constitution of Afghanistan has specified all the frameworks and limitations. No other things were implementable in Afghanistan, he observed. President Ghani said he, Chief Executive Officer Dr Abdullah Abdullah and his deputies urged the nation and politicians to extend support for free and transparent polls.

The government believed in free, transparent and timely elections, he said. He, however, added that they needed the support in this regard. No one in the government wanted continued authority, he said, adding that the nation would not allow anyone to stay in power for period beyond the law.

About refugees, the president said they wanted all the Afghan people living in other countries to return to Afghanistan with respect. It needed a national viewpoint, he added. Terming himself the owner of patience, President Muhammad Ashraf Ghani said they had developed the culture of tolerance in governance. On the occasion, second deputy president Sarwar Danish said any demand against the law would take the country towards crisis.

Earlier, Dr Abdullah Abdullah said wishful decisions would take the country towards a crisis. Addressing the gathering, head of Hizb-e-Islami, Gulbadin Hekmatyar said the current time needed patience and tranquility. Threats would not yield any outcomes, he added. He did not name anyone. However, he was referring to sacked governor of Balkh, Atta Muhammad Noor.