KABUL (SW): Ghulam Hussain Nasiri, member of the Wolesi Jirga (lower house), has raised objections over the appointment of Hafeezullah Hashimi at the Independent Election Commission (IEC) as a commissioner.
In conversation with Salam Watandar, Nasiri said the newly inducted member of the IEC has no legal standing to hold this position because he has been appointed ‘illegally’. The Selection Committee of the IEC on Saturday pronounced former secretary of the Masharano Jirga (upper house) as new member of the IEC after a written exam and interview.
The WJ member has expressed concerns that such ‘illegal appointments’ undermine prospects for free and fair elections.
Naeem Ayubzada, head of the Free and Fair Elections Forum of Afghanistan Organization (FEFA), has also casted doubts over the appointment of Hashimi at the IEC. He claimed the National Unity Government (NUG) is aiming to delay the much-awaited parliamentary and district council elections with such appointments and due to prevailing political differences. He added the IEC is under the influence of the government. Ayubzada stressed members of the IEC should be elected through a fair legal mechanism.
Asif Ashna, a political activist, claimed the NUG is eyeing to rig upcoming elections that is why it has appointment such people at the IEC. He asserted leaders of the NUG want to hijack the forthcoming elections with such ‘violations of the law’.
Salam Watandar wished to have the views of the IEC, but to no avail despite repeated attempts.
ENDS
