KABUL - The Independent Election Commission (IEC) on Saturday promised holding epoch-making presidential and provincial polls to complete the country’s political transition.

Ziaul Haq Amarkhel, the IEC secretary, held out the vow at a four-day workshop in Kabul, attended by the commission’s regional directors from across the country.

He urged the provincial officials to make concerted efforts to hold a countrywide and transparent vote in compliance with the election law, constitution and other provisions and guidelines provided by IEC.

“We have to ensure an inclusive election in April 2014 to facilitate historical political transition by employing the lessons we learnt from the past experience,” Amarkhel added.

He believed fair elections could be conducted only in a stable security environment and proper monitoring by political parties, civil society networks, candidates, media, foreign observers and the people at large.

Speaking on the occasion, IEC deputy chief Abdul Rahman Hotaki called the 2014 security and political transition a vital process. He said the withdrawal of foreign troops would place a heavy responsibility on the shoulders of Afghan forces and politicians.

He said the same year Afghanistan would see landmark transfer of power from one president to another through elections -- an objective that all parties are duty-bound to work for. (Pajhwok)