KABUL (SW): The Independent Election Commission (IEC) on Tuesday urged upon the government to take effective steps towards ensuring timely elections in the country.
Abdul Bade Sayad, spokesman for the IEC, told a press conference here today that the government should meet at least three basic requirements in this regard. He said first of all, practical steps shall be taken to issue identity cards to those citizens deprived of it as the voters’ lists would be based on the identity cards.
He added security of electoral constituencies and voters shall be a priority for the government, and budget for holding the elections should be provided in time.
The IEC officials promised to hold elections in due time if these conditions are met. Sayad urged the government to nominate a head for the IEC in 20 days, or the Commission would choose one for itself.
Rafiullah Bedar, a commissioner of the IEC, said on the occasion that the process requires a minimum budget of $ 100 million, most of which would be spent on preparing voters’ lists. He stressed the funds for this primary cause, which is likely to be around $ 28 million should be released without any further delay.
Wasima Badghisi, interim head of the IEC, said the government should pay serious attention to this matter. The IEC has vowed to hold parliamentary and district council elections on 7 July 2018.
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