KABUL - The Independent Election Commission (IEC) reported this week that letters had been sent to foreign election observers inviting them to take part in the spring elections.

"The IEC has officially sent invitation letters to international observers to monitor the upcoming elections," IEC Secretariat Chief Zia-ul-Haq Amarkhail said this week. "Any international institution that intends to monitor the election may contact the IEC, the Commission will explain important topics to them and we will come to an agreement."

Up to 100 organizations and 1,000 individuals have already received permission from the IEC to monitor the upcoming elections. Election monitoring is considered by most experts to be one of the most important steps in ensuring a credible and transparent election.

The Free & Fair Election Foundation of Afghanistan (FEFA) and international bodies such as the European Union (EU) have shown interest in monitoring the upcoming elections.

The IEC has also asked the candidates to submit their lists of preferred observers to the Commission to get permits.

"The IEC has learned from the experience of the previous election; the Commission will dispatch the observers to the polling booths in cooperation with the candidates," he said.

During the 2009 Presidential election, widespread fraud and voter intimidation was documented and a number of challenger candidates, including ones running this year, raised issue with the lack of monitors and officials present around the country to deter such improprieties.

Afghanistan plans to conduct the Presidential and Provincial Council elections in less than hundred days. The election could mark the first democratic transition of Presidential power in Afghan history.  (Tolo News)