FAIZABAD (SW) – Supporters of a Wolesi Jirga (lower house) candidate, Safar Mohammad Mubarez, closed down the main Kishm – Faizabad highway in Badakhshan in protest against the initial electoral results.
Out of 75 candidates from the province, only nine have made it to the available seats for the MPs from Badakhshan. Abdul Hai, one of the protesters, told Salam Watandar the agitation would continue until the Independent Election Commission responds positively to their demands.
A stranded passenger on the Kishm – Faizabad highway, Hafsa, said the protesters have burned tires, blocked the road with shipment containers, and behaved rudely with passengers. She added the agitators broke down glasses of the passenger busses, and even physically beat the passengers.
Meanwhile, Sanaullah Ruhani, spokesman for the police, has acknowledged that following the announcement of the initial results by the IEC, supporters of Safar Mohammad Mubarez took to the streets, and closed down the Kishm – Faizabad highway.
He said a team has been sent to have discussion with the protesters for the opening of the highway. The stranded passengers have urged the government to take swift measures in reopening the highway.
Despite hours of the closure of this key route, there has been on response from the government to reopen it.
ENDS
