KABUL - Afghanistan's Independent Election Commission ('IEC) on Wednesday announced the international community had pledged $150 million (8.2 billon afghanis) for the upcoming presidential and provincial council polls in 2014.

Speaking at news briefing in Kabul, IEC acting Secretary Zakaria Barakzai said the election expenses, estimated at $150 million, would be funded by the global fraternity.

In order to prevent possible fraud, election officials would be reshuffled at the provincial level, he said, adding the vote count would take place in provincial capitals in the presence of monitors, civil society activists and media representatives.

The commission would specify responsibilities of poll observers and monitors, Barakzai said, promising election materials, like inks, ballot papers and results forms, would be kept under control.

On November 10, he recalled, IEC and relevant officials took part in a meeting at Ministry of Defense on security for the elections.

With the voter registration strategy expected to be finalized in the next two weeks, operational plans would be completed 60 days, the official said.

A draft law on IEC authority, approved by the Wolesi Jirga, is currently being scrutiny by the Meshrano Jirga. But the draft electoral law is yet to be vetted by the Ministry of Justice. (Pajhwok)