Political parties have shown strong reaction against the Justice Ministry decision to confiscate licenses of the parties which do not meet requirement of the law to have offices in at least 20 provinces of the country. In a gathering in Kabul, representatives of political parties have condemned the move by the government to curb political activities ahead of the crucial Presidential elections in April next year. They said that a free, fair and transparent election with pluralistic political participation can ensure smooth transfer of power and political stability of the country.
The participants warned the government not to make attempts to limit political activities by closing down political parties. They said that due to insecurity, it would be practically impossible for political parties to have presence in all provinces of the country. Spokesman of the National Coalition opposition group Fazlurrehman Orya said, "The government's decision to open the branches of parties in 20 provinces of the country is impractical and illogical because, there is no security in most areas of the country. How can we open regional offices?" Sher Gul of the People’s Party said, “The decision by the Ministry of Justice is dictatorial and the government seeks to limit the parties' activities." Meanwhile, political parties also expressed concerns on the delay-tactics of the government regarding the upcoming elections.
They said that it is clear that through such moves, the government wants to curb the flurry of political activity that has surged in the wake of the crucial presidential polls. It wants to create hurdles for parties at a time when there is just one year to polls and many of these parties are considering fielding their candidates or taking part in polls with a united stance and joint nominee. The Justice Ministry decision is the start of an official process to marginalize the parties to the level of legal ban before the elections, using the new 2012 amendments to the Political Parties Law.
Such moves will not only promote the current highly-centralized power concentration system, but it is an attack on political freedom in our crippled democracy. Party system in a legal framework would be inevitable if Afghanistan has to mature political stability. The current administration for the sake of its rule and narrow minded political aims has ignored and disregarded long-term political stability for Afghanistan.