KABUL - The Independent Election Commission (IEC) on Wednesday announced September 28 as a new date to hold the presidential election simultaneously with the provincial council, district council and Wolesi Jirga elections in southern Ghazni province.
IEC head Hawa Alam Nuristani told reporters in Kabul that after consultations with relevant organs and members of the election body, it was decided that the upcoming polls should be delayed for another two months and would be held on September 28 instead of the earlier date of July 20.
The delay in elections happened in order to ensure transparency, fairness and smooth conduct of the national process, she added.
The IEC chief said elections on the new date would be conducted if the government and the international community provided the required fund to the election body at due time.
She asked all stakeholders, national institutions, international community and the people of Afghanistan to cooperate with the election bodies and discharge their national, moral and legal responsibilities towards making the elections a success story.
Presidential spokesman Haroon Chakhansuri said changing the election schedule was the right of the election commission and the government fully respected its independence.
He added the IEC decided the fresh date after consultations with political parties, civil society organizations and election watchdogs.
It was the third time that the presidential election has been delayed from its earlier schedules in April and July.  (Pajhwok)