KABUL - The Reform and Change Network (RCN) on Tuesday claimed “fake paper identity cards with voter stickers attached are being sold as genuine” ahead of Oct 20 parliamentary polls.
A special program for distribution of paper ID cards has been started for those who have not obtained the cards previously in order to get registered to vote.
The Independent Election Commission launched the voter’s registration process on April 14.
Sayed Maisam Ehsani, RCN deputy head, told a press conference in Kabul that fake ID cards of “registered people” were being sold.
“Stickers attached to a person’s ID card after being registered as a voter are also sold”, he said, claiming a mafia was behind the forgery. However, he did not name anyone.
Ehsani said RCN members were busy collecting evidences about illegal activities in order to expose them before the media in future.
A Wolesi Jirga candidate is required to collect at least 1,000 ID cards while a district council candidate is required to show 100 ID cards as his/her supporters/voters as part of nomination with the IEC.
Mohammad Humayun Muhtat, Population Registration Department (PRD) head, had on April 24 confirmed that fake ID cards were distributed.
Rafiullah Baidar, an IEC member, had also told a Meshrano Jirga session that the commission had sent suspected ID cards to the PRD for finding whether they were real or fake.
IEC officials could not be contacted for comment on the issue.
Sayed Maisam Ehsani said hat most of women still lacked ID cards and people did not trust elections after 2014 disputed presidential polls.
He said if ID cards distribution process failed, it would make difficult ensuring transparent elections and many people would deprive of voting.
The ID cards distribution process should be simplified and their centers increased, he suggested. (Pajhwok)