KABUL - The Ministry of Interior (MoI) on Monday stated a ten-member commission would be established to oversee security strategies and operations directly related to the spring elections.
The new commission arrives at time when many inside and outside the government have been increasingly worried about security threats to the election process. Other than localized issues such as the Independent Election Commission's (IEC) inability to open up voter registration offices in a number of districts around the country, more recently a growing concern has been the safety of IEC officials and other election personnel.
Officials said the commission, which was mandated by Presidential Decree from President Hamid Karzai, would be charged with managing security for the Presidential and Provincial Council elections, IEC staff-members, candidate's campaigns, and national and international observers.
Salem Ehsas, the General Chairman of Police Affairs, was appointed the head of the new commission, which is expected to begin work once the final list of candidates is announced in mid November.
Mohammad Salem Ehsas added that the commission would be in touch with Independent Election Commission. "At every moment, we will connect with the IEC and candidates to move forward with our plans in coordination with them," said Ehsas.
Aside from care for the safety of individuals involved spring elections, however, recent worries about security issues have been tied to fears of fraud and other improprieties that might bring the credibility of the elections into question.
That is likely why the commission will also be responsible for planning and overseeing the execution of the transportation of ballots during the elections.
On Sunday, Afghan security officials quickly rejected the IEC's suggestion that they seek assistance for election security from coalition forces, but they conceded that they might reach out for help surrounding the transit of critical "election materials."
The commission was also said to be given the task of ensuring Afghan National and Local Police forces around the country remain neutral during the process and do not engage in any voter manipulation.
The 2009 Presidential elections saw numerous allegations against public officials and security forces interfering in the election process and coercing voters through inducements or threats to vote for certain candidates.
Nevertheless, insurgents remain the top threat in most people's minds when it comes to the security of the elections.
The Taliban has largely brushed off the election as "a waste of time," in the words of the group's leader Mullah Omar, but many are still convinced the group is looking to disrupt and derail the April vote. The recent assassination of the Nimruz provincial IEC head and abduction of a number of five IEC employees in Faryab did not do much alleviate those anxieties. (Tolo news)