Monitoring Desk
KABUL: The Independent Election Commission (IEC) has said more than 291,000 people have registered themselves as voters in provincial capitals as of Monday.
IEC commissioner Rafiullah Baidar and Population Registration Authority (PRA) head Mohammad Humayon Muhtat appeared before the Meshrano Jirga or Senate to brief lawmakers about the voter registration process, security issues, alleged distribution of fake forms of paper ID cards and attachment of a special sticker on paper cards.
“The voter registration process may be extended for three to four weeks in provincial capitals because people are unaware about the process which has been slow going,” said Baidar.
He added the IEC had demanded more money to pay salaries of its employees for the extended period and the government had agreed to the demand and might issue the payment in near future. He added if needed the IEC was ready to extend the voter registration in district centers as well.
Answering a question from lawmakers, Baidar said: “Until now 11,000 individuals have been hired for the voter registration process and 22,000 more qualified individuals would be hired in the near future.”
