Editor in Chief: Moh. Reza Huwaida Friday, March 29th, 2024

Rigging Claims, 567 Ballot Boxes Reopened in Balkh

Rigging Claims, 567 Ballot Boxes Reopened in Balkh

MAZAR-I-SHRIF - Following complaints regarding alleged fraud and rigging in recent Wolesi Jirga polls in northern Balkh province, the regional Independent Electoral Compliant Commission (IECC) has reopened the seals of 567 ballot boxes.
The IEC regional office in Balkh province said on Monday the investigation process of the ballot boxes was being conducted in presence of Wolesi Jirga candidates, electoral observers, political parties’ agents and IECC members.
The IECC in Balkh said all the complaints would be addressed.
Mohammad Zahir Akbari, the IEC head for Balkh province, told Pajhwok Afghan News the suspicious ballot boxes were being inspected by candidates, electoral observers, political parties’ agents and IECC members.
He said some ballot boxes lacked forms and others were not stamped. Akbari added after the inspection process, the check list of each ballot box would be dispatched to the IEC and IECC.
He said they would again inspect such ballot boxes if the IEC and IECC did not convince with the first time inspection.
He said some powerful individuals in some districts of the province had been trying to interference in the election process but security forces prevented them.
According to him, electoral materials from all northern provinces would be dispatched to capital Kabul in upcoming two days.
Meanwhile, the IECC office in Balkh province said it has registered 804 complaints which would all be addressed.
Shugofa Behishti, IECC head for Balkh, told Pajhwok they started a review of the suspicious ballot boxes following complaints and objections regarding alleged fraud and rigging
She assured all complaints would be addressed and their results would be shared with the people gradually.
Mohammad Ibrahim Khir Andish, a Wolesi Jirga candidate from Balkh, told Pajhwok the election commissions should separate fake and real votes.
He said rigging had taken place widely in the recently Wolesi Jirga elections in the province and they had shared evidence in this regard with the IECC.
Khir Andish said the rigging took place in forms of fake ID cards, fake stickers and distribution of cash to voters by dome candidates and interference by powerful individuals.
In Balkh, 224,000 people cast their votes (56 percent women and 46 percent men) in the Oct 20 and 21 parliamentary elections.(Pajhwok)