KABUL - The Independent Election Commission (IEC) on Saturday dismissed as ‘baseless’ a Transparent Election Foundation of Afghanistan (TEFA) report that alleged corruption was preventing the commission from announcing the Wolesi Jirga election results.
Two days back, TEFA in a statement said that the IEC had been unable to announce the election results from a number of provinces in more than two months, something against the schedule.
The organization had said the delay in announcing election results proved the IEC’s poor performance and financial and political deals in the commission.
“Based on TEFA findings, high level of electoral and moral corruption in the IEC did not let the Wolesi Jirga election results to be announced, the operative team in the commission has been busy making big money deals and increasing votes of some candidates instead of investigating fraud,” the statement had said.
However, in response the IEC in a statement said some organizations were publishing their reports without evidence in order to gain fame and short term financial support.
The IEC said in each of its meetings with different institutes, the participants had been asked to share evidence of fraud or violations by commission workers with the election body, but TEFA made only a false allegation instead of providing any documents.
“This organization does not know its own responsibilities, it did not provide us any evidence that can prove any type or level of corruption done by IEC workers or any shortcomings in the commission,” the source added.
The statement said making baseless allegations and damaging the national processes was a crime and judiciary organs should prosecute TEFA for that reason.
On the other hand, the IEC said it was concluding Wolesi Jirga election results and had prepared some reforms which would be implemented next solar year 1398. (Pajhwok)