KABUL - President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani on Monday stressed over the holding of parliamentary elections, saying legal hurdles in this regard had been removed.
The president, who   inaugurated the first joint session of the parliament’s seventh year and 16th legal term, in his address stressed the need for non-interference in the upcoming polls.
Ghani, in a veiled reference to Taliban, said: “For those not willing to join the peace process, our message for them is clear --- we have strong intention to win the war.”
The president said he was happy that the public representatives were back from the winter recess with new ideas and plans. He asked the lawmakers to share their new strategies and plans with him and other government officials.
The president said during the two and a half years of his government, he consulted lawmakers from both houses of the parliament and discussions with the legislators took place 32 times during the period.
He said it was his constitutional duty to maintain balance between the three pillars of the state and facilitate cooperation among them.
The president said elections were one of the basic principles of democracy and it was necessary that Afghanistan have free, fair and transparent elections.
He warned all departments against interference in the election process and stressed over a transparent conduct of the democratic exercise.
“From this house of the people, I want to announce that neither I have any intension to interfere in election nor anyone else would be allowed to interfere.”
About the future presidential election, the president said future election would be conducted in its due time and further delay in holding the Wolesi Jirga polls would not be allowed.
Article 83 of the Constitution states: “The constitutionally mandated tenure of the house of people shall terminate after the disclosure of the results of the election, on the 1st of Saratan (22 June), and the new parliament shall commence work.”
However, the Presidential Palace on June 2015 announced the Wolesi Jirga would continue its duty until the announcement of next parliamentary elections. The parliamentary elections are yet to be conducted.
Ghani said holding of parliamentary and district council elections next year would be an important step towards addressing the country’s challenges.
“Our main goal is to put an end to crisis and the important document we follow for that is our Constitution,” he said, adding 20 terrorist groups facilitated by the Taliban were operating in Afghanistan.
He said there was no difference among militant groups as all were responsible for people’s miseries.
The president said Afghanistan found access to enough resources for improving its security after achievements in the Warsaw and Brussels summits. It was the responsibility of the political lot to defend law enforcement, support national unity and back the society in fighting against terrorism.
“Fortunately the definition of enemy and friend is clear to the nation and the government. Besides Daesh and other foreign terrorist groups who want to use Afghanistan’s land, the Taliban militants who continue to kill our people are also our enemy, our security forces would seriously stand against them,” he added.
The president promised peaceful livelihood opportunities to the youth who had been deceived by propagandas of foreign intelligence agents if they stopped fighting.
“Our message for those who have no will for peace is clear and that is we have the will for victory in fighting and would not allow them to threaten our nation,” he said.
Ghani also planted a sapling in the parliament’s compound in presence of parliament members and prayed for future of Afghanistan. (Pajhwok)