VP Danesh, NDI officials discuss polls, peace process

KABUL (Agencies): Director Peter M. Manikas and Deputy Director Maria of the American National Democratic Institute (NDI) called upon the second vice president Mohammad Sarwar Danesh here, a statement from the VP office said.

Both sides discussed cooperation in areas of elections, peace process and holding of consultative Loya Jirga, the statement added.

Thanking NDI for support of the elections and empowerment of the political parties in the country, VP Danesh called the institute’s programs crucial for capacity building of electoral commissioners, observers and members of the political parties.

The vice president said the institute had conducted productive training programs in previous elections for political parties’ members and election commissions’ staffs, asking the officials to continue such programs in upcoming democratic processes.

Hinting to importance of the upcoming presidential elections in the country, VP Danesh said the election commission has started activities with new commissioners and they need more assistance and technical cooperation. “The previous commissioners couldn’t win people’s trust, and such shouldn’t be repeated with new commissioners.”

Pointing to peace and elections process, VP Danesh said the two national processes should be separately followed as according to him government was trying to proceed the peace process in line with the Afghan people’s demand as well as would held elections on its due time and date.

VP Danesh went on saying that the Loya Jirga would seek people’s views on peace process in the country. Meanwhile NDI officials said would soon start their training programs in four zones of Afghanistan, including Kabul. They said that the training program would be conducted for almost 25 to 30 thousand of election observers that would be introduced by the election candidates. NDI officials said technical supports and training programs were their priorities and would continue their cooperation with the electoral commissions.