KABUL - President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani has said the government is committed to benefitting from technology in holding future elections for the sake of transparency.
A statement from the Presidential Palace on Sunday said the president presided over a meeting to discuss preparations for the upcoming parliamentary and district council elections.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Abdullah Abdullah, president’s deputies, some ministers and election commission commissioners were present at the meeting, the statement said.
Independent Election Commission (IEC) officials and secretary briefed the participants about the use of technology in elections. They told the meeting how technology impacted the election process both positively and negatively.
The president, while asserting that the conduct of elections was his government’s priority, said: “We suggested the use of technology in 2002 elections, which did not happen but this time we are committed to using technology to ensure transparency in elections.”
Ghani said: “We have a strong commitment to conducting elections and free and fair election is important for us therefore the democratic exercise should be conducted in a transparent manner and without meddling.”
CEO Abdullah and second Vice President Sarwar Danish also expressed their views regarding the use of technology during elections.
Finance Minister Eklik Hakimi briefed the meeting about his meetings with donor countries regarding election.
He said the donors had pledged support to the Afghan government in holding future elections.  (Pajhwok)