Mystery surrounds Nooristani’s resignation

KABUL (SW): Ahmad Yousuf Nooristani, has resigned from his position as the Chief of Independent Election Commission (IEC) late on Saturday, a move that left many wondering about the circumstances leading to this sudden move at this delicate moment in regard to upcoming elections.

It is still not clear why Noorsitani has resigned but the ARG (Presidential Palace) on its Facebook page has posted that “because he (Nooristani) has a great understanding of the critical situation in the country, has resigned from his position”.

On ICE’s Facebook page, it says that Nooristani has resigned for the sake of ‘national interests and critical situation’. But social media paints another story about it saying that he has not resigned voluntarily and in fact has been compelled to do so.

A number of media quoting one of the advisors at Executive Office have said that Nooristani has been sacked and he has not resigned.

It is worth noting that a while ago, the President asked Ministry of Foreign Affairs to appoint Nooristani and a few other commissioners of ICE as ambassador abroad but the Ministry rejected it.

This has been widely reflected on social media. A number of users have said that Nooristani has been sacked in a move to appoint him as an ambassador abroad.

Younus Fakor, a political analyst, confirming the rumors, told Salam Watandar that there has been immense pressure and political deals that led his removal. He added that If Chief Executive Office Abdullah Abdullah accused commissioners of the IEC for frauds then this should go through legal bodies not through exerting pressures on the commissioners.

He believed that the government’s leaders are seeking to appoint those who can ensure their interests in IEC, which will eventually lead elections to crisis.

Kabir Ranjbar, another political analyst, told Salam Watandar that though the government’s leaders seek to appoint someone as the Chief of IEC to ensure their own interests but people and the media should not keep quite since this commission is a crucial commission and is not supposed to favor particular leaders.

It is worth mentioning that the process of electoral system reform has been faced with stalemate several times over the past year. Based on the last decree by the President, a selection committee consists of representatives of 5 government institutions and two civil society institutions would be established. This committee would introduce new commissioners to the President.

ENDS