Presidential vote delay a massive blow to democracy

Monitoring Desk

KABUL: Election oversight institutes on Tuesday called the delay in the presidential election as against the law and demanded serious reforms in the Independent Election Commission (IEC).

Previously scheduled for April 20, the presidential election will be now held on July 20 and the three-month delay is said to be aimed at bringing about reforms in the commission and making more preparations for the polls.

The association of eight electoral watchdogs issued a joint statement at a press conference in Kabul on Tuesday, describing the delay in the presidential election as against the Constitution and the Election Law.

Habibullah Shinwari, a member of the association who read out the statement, said the delay in election was a great blow to the nascent democracy in Afghanistan as well as to people’s trust in the election process, law enforcement and election bodies.

“If this delay is based on Article 104th of the Election Law, then it can be justified and the association will support the government in reforming the IEC,” he said.

The Article 104 says, “In case security situation, natural disasters or similar conditions make impossible to hold elections and or undermine the credibility of the electoral process; the elections shall be held upon the proposal of the Commission and endorsement of the Committee, comprised of the Head and members of the National Security Council, chairmen of the two houses of the Parliament, the Chief Justice and Chairman of the Independent Commission of Oversight of Implementation of the Constitution of Afghanistan be postponed from the specific date for a period of up to four months.”

Khalil Raoufi, a member of the Election Oversight Institutes’ Association, pointing to the article 104 of the electoral law, said, “The IEC has the authority to suggest a delay in elections not to announce the delay.”

The association suggested the creation of inclusive political consensus on electoral reforms and a program for implementation of reforms in the leadership and membership of the election bodies.

It also asked for a review and correction of the voter lists based on biometric system in coordination with the Department of Population Registration, as well as publishing the voter lists before the Election Day.

The association also asked government officials to be committed to non-interference in election affairs and misuse of resources and authority in elections.

The election oversight institutes asked the international community not to hesitate from technically or financially supporting the election commissions and support the government and the people for full implementation of democracy in Afghanistan. (Pajhwok)