KABUL - The Migration Watch Afghanistan (MWA) has warned that 3.5 million Afghan refugees could miss participation in the upcoming presidential election, asking the government to address the issue.
Abdul Aziz Khatebi, communication in charge at MWA, told reporters here: “Recommendations regarding the participation of refugees in upcoming polls were sent to presidential hopefuls, the Presidential Palace, election bodies and the refugees ministry three weeks ago but there has been no response,” he said.
He said the purpose of this press conference was to send his message to the authorities concerned. “Our demand is that some families who recently returned from Iran and Pakistan should not be deprived of their right to vote.”
Nelab Zafar, MWA executive head, said in case their recommendations were ignored, they planned even greater advocacy for the rights of migrants.
She said the large distance between repatriates and polling stations was a challenge and said polling stations should be situated in areas accessible by the refugees.
She presented a resolution from the MWA, which asked the government to organize a mechanism through which repatriates were able to cast their votes in the upcoming polls.
It asked election watchdogs to pay greater attention to the role and participation of refugees in the upcoming presidential polls. It also warned of protests if the government ignored their demands.  (Pajhwok)