KABUL - The Election and Transparency Watch Organization of Afghanistan (ETWA) on Sunday welcomed a recent government’s proposal aimed at restoring electoral reform process through amending the electoral law.
In a statement, ETWA called on the government, particularly the Cabinet, to consider proposals and recommendations of civil society during the electoral reform process.
ETWA said it considered the work of the Electoral Law Review Committee presided over by Second Vice-President a positive step toward electoral reform.
However, the watchdog called as a major shortcoming the lack of civil society and political parties’ participation in the review process of electoral law.
Chief Justice, Minister of Justice, Attorney General, head of the Independent Commission for Overseeing the Implementation of the Constitution, Presidential Justice and Judiciary Board’s Chief and head of Administrative Affairs Department of Presidential Palace have the membership of the committee.
ETWA called the on government to take advantage of perspectives of civil society organizations, in particular those of election observer organizations not only to enrich the electoral law but to enhance public confidence in electoral reform.
ETWA believed proposals made by Special Electoral Reform Commission (SERC) were largely reflective of the views of civil society and internal and external experts so that it could help bring necessary reform in the electoral system.
ETWA suggested that any reform of the electoral law contradicting with SERC’s proposals should not be considered by the Cabinet.
The Cabinet on Saturday held deep discussion over the reformation of election law and decided to review the law again and present the reformed version in the next cabinet meeting.(Pajhwok)