KABUL - The findings of some civil society groups show that the electoral team currently in power has initiated some programs which can be assumed as election campaign on government funds while no attention is paid to other candidates.
The research “Evaluation and Findings before Election 2019” was conducted by the Afghanistan’s Civil Societies Grand Alliance also known as MAJMA.
The study was conducted in one month period with 15 presidential candidates, election commission officials and concerned election organisations.
The appointment of new commissioners to electoral bodies, lack of transparent voter lists, use of government facilities by the election team in power, lack of security to other election candidates and lack of security for polling stations on election day were some concerns the candidates shared during the research.
Aziz Rafei, MAJMA head, said the Independent Election Commission (IEC) was unaware about the exact number of voters for the presidential election and questioned transparency in polls if the exact number of voters was not known.
“The major concern of candidates regarding upcoming polls is the use of government resources and funds by the election team which is currently in power as it questions transparency in polls.”
Criticizing the use of government resources by one team, he said unfortunately the facilities enjoyed by one electoral team were denied to other teams.
Roshan Seran, executive of Human Rights Centre for Women, stressed the need for a high level of vigilant in order to stop rigging and fraud.
He said the conduct of election before its deadline was a red line and added without the conduct of election no other option was in the interest of the country.
Amrullah Aman, head of the Noorul Haq Ulomi’s election campaign, raised objection over the lack of government attention to security of candidates.
“No attention has been paid to the security of election candidates, there is no security guard and no vehicles,” he said.
He accused Ashraf Ghani’s led team of using government machinery for election campaign. (Pajhwok)