KABUL - The Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) on Saturday praised people’s active participation in the country’s parliamentary elections while regretted technical problems in the process.
The AIHRC monitored the voting process through its 275 employees at 1,000 voting centres in more than 22 provinces, the rights commission said in a statement.
“Not opening of voting centres in-time, the absence of voter lists, dysfunction of biometric devices, removal of electoral ink, the absence of IEC employees at voting centres, security incidents and threats were problems and irregularities that hit the Wolesi Jirga elections, reported the AIHRC observers.
People thronged polling centres in Kabul and provinces ahead of the voting began, observed by AIHRC observers, the commission’s statement said.
Limitations, shortcomings, and irregularities witnessed during the election process by AIHRC observers across the country are the following:
Not opening of polling centres on time:
AIHRC observers of reported that many voting centres opened 1to 4 hours late than the specified time and some voting centres did not open.
Absence of voter lists in related voting centres:
The commission received consecutive reports from provinces about the lack of lists at polling centres.
Dysfunction of biometric devices:
The commission’s findings show biometric devices were not functional or employees were not familiar how to use the devices in the majority of polling centres.
Security incidents and threats:
AIHRC observers reported over 22 security incidents including a suicide attack in Kabul that inflicted casualties to people.
Absence of IEC staff in polling centres:
Based on the commission’s findings show IEC staff were absent from some polling centres or came late to duty station resulting in a delay of the voting there.
Removal of electoral stain from fingers:
The commission witnessed the electoral strain could be easily removed by using detergents.
Based on these observations, the commission asked the IEC to take urgent measures regarding the opening of polling centres, dispatch necessary materials to polling centres and facilitate citizens to use their right in accordance with the provisions of the law.
AIHRC asked defence and security forces to take urgent measures regarding the security of polling centres in during elections.
While visiting a polling centre to cast her vote, AIHRC chairperson, Sima Samar said elections was an important activity so active participation of eligible citizens was a standard for transparent and fair elections. (Pajhwok)