Protesters want fresh WJ polls in Kabul

KABUL (SW) – Hundreds of protesters backing certain Wolesi Jirga (lower house) candidates staged multiple protest demonstration at entry points in Kabul.

Two such protesting WJ candidates, Dawood Kalakani and Lutfullah Qureshi, said on the occasion the Independent Election Commission should hold fresh polls in Kabul as rampant rigging and irregularities have marred the October elections. They also demanded to refer the corrupt commissioners to the judicial institution for allegedly taking bribes from candidates for victory in the polls.

They charged the IEC officials for not responding properly to their complaints in connection with the initial results.

Acknowledging shortcomings in the polls, Maleha Hassan, an IEC commissioner, stressed the protesting candidates should file their complaints together with documented proof at the IEC. She said final decision would be made in light of these complaints.

Hours after the announcement of initial results, a number of WJ candidates declared the outcome as unfair and rigged. With no reaction from the government, the protesting candidates initiated agitations.

ENDS