KABUL - The National Unity Government (NUG) has drawn up a new electoral reforms roadmap, Chief Executive of Afghanistan Abdullah Abdullah said Monday.
Abdullah said the new roadmap is a combination of two electoral laws and other necessary entries that will pave the way for reforms to be brought in the electoral system.
He said that reforms will be carried out in parts of the electoral system once the draft is implemented.
"Both the election law and the law on the formation and authorities of electoral commissions have been included in the new law and it is in its final phase, which involves electoral reforms. There have been improvements in this regard," he added.
Meanwhile, watchdog organizations welcomed the move by government, saying that the barriers before the reforms process will be removed if the draft is implemented.
"This move will help government clarify Article 109 of the Constitution which says the election law cannot be added to parliament's agenda in its last year of term. This gives government the safety to some extent to implement the draft," said Yusuf Rasheed, CEO of Free and Fair Election Foundation of Afghanistan.
Reports indicate that President Ashraf Ghani will issue another decree in order to implement the new draft law on electoral reforms.
On the delay over the issuing of the decree, the head of the Afghan Civil Society and Elections Network (ACSEN), Jandad Spinghar, said: "There are a number of figures that have an influence on government and parliament. It will be difficult for government to bring reforms as long as these figures are there."
According to reports, the Attorney General's Office, the Supreme Court, the commission for monitoring the implementation of the Constitution and the Justice Ministry are busy preparing the draft. Once complete President Ashraf Ghani is expected to issue a decree ordering its implementation.(Tolonews)