KABUL - Government officials will be promptly dismissed from their posts if they take part in the campaign activities of any particular candidate in the presidential or provincial council elections, Independent Election Commission (IEC) Chairman Ahmad Yusuf Nuristani warned on Sunday.

Nuristani's remarks come in response to circulating rumors that have implicated government officials in the promotion of certain candidates.

The IEC Chairman said that if the Commission receives any evidence proving the involvement of government officials in the campaigns, they would be dismissed promptly.

"We warn government officials to not participate in candidates' electoral campaigns, and do not work in favor of anyone," Nuristani said. "The officials will be dismissed if they do."

Although unproven so far, much of the anxiety about local and central government meddling in the election process is based on the experiences of past elections. In 2009, there was widespread and well-documented interference by local officials in the voting process.

In addition, Nuristani spoke about security concerns heading into the first week of April.

"If a poling center shuts or the security forces cannot to keep the center open, we will not send electoral materials there," he explained.

The IEC has asked candidates and civil society organizations to introduce their proposed observers for the elections to the Commission by March 22. International observers are allowed to receive monitoring cards until March 29.

Nuristani's comments came as the IEC opened up an awareness exhibition in Kabul aimed at promoting participation in the elections. (Tolonews)