KABUL (SW) – Amid escalating tensions over vote recount, a number of presidential candidates on Monday urged the security forces should not be used against protesters.
As the recount in Badakhshan, Kunduz, Takhar, Parwan, Baghlan, Samangan and some other provinces has begun amid protests by a number of candidates for the presidential race, extra contingents of security forces have been seen around offices of the election commissions here.
A day earlier, the Stability and Partnership team by Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah complained that the police had physically confronted the protesters. Former President Hamid Karzai has also expressed concern over the firing and clashes in Kunduz, saying the use of security agencies for personal and political purposes was in no way good for the country, and is also unacceptable to the people.
A number of analysts and military affairs experts told Salam Watandar that the duties of the police and other security forces are defined in the law and that the police should not be used for political objectives.
Former deputy interior minister, Mirza Muhammad Yarmand said police and other security forces should not intervene in political matters, otherwise they will lose confidence in the public. According to him, combating crimes is one of the basic duties of the police and these forces must maintain their authenticity.
Political and military affairs expert, Akbarjan Polad, said that Afghanistan as a country and its population are experiencing democracy, and there is a need to support the electoral process. According to him, the security agencies, the election commission and protesters must abide by the rules.
At a news conference in Kabul, presidential candidate Rahmatullah Nabil said security forces are still dear to the people despite their minor mistakes. According to Nabil, the international community, especially NATO and the countries that helped build the system, need to curb the abuse of security forces by a few individuals.
A number Wolesi Jirga (lower house) also called on security agencies to refrain from physical violence against protesters.
SW wanted to have the government's viewpoint, especially the Ministry of Interior's, on the alleged use of security forces for political purposes, but to no avail. Recently, the MoI said in a statement that the security forces are only there to provide security to the protesters in light of the laws.
The security forces are determined to maintain impartiality at all stages of the election process and will not be allowed to intervene, the Interior Ministry leadership had said.
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