KABUL - Meshrano Jirga or upper house members on Tuesday urged presidential candidates not to interfere in the Independent Election Commission (IEC)’s affairs.
The presidential election was held on September 28 and the preliminary result was expected to be announced on October 19 and the final outcome on October 7.
But the results were postponed due to slow data entry and technical problems in the commission’s main server.
The IEC had earlier promised unveiling the preliminary results from the election on November 14 and the final results on December 6.
Kamil Beg Hussaini, a senator from northeastern Badakhshan province, told today’s session that presidential candidates should let IEC officials finish their work and announce the election result.
Not going into details, the lawmaker warned a run-off election would lead a crisis situation.
Senator Gulalai Akbari called for a discussion between presidential candidates and the electoral commission on addressing the current problems.
A number of other senators held similar views and called for the announcement of election results soon.
Mohammad Alam Izedyar, Senate first deputy chairman, who presided over today’s session, urged the IEC and presidential candidates to address their issues through talks.
He said a discussion between IEC and presidential candidates could prevent the country from plunging into a crisis.
He also urged the IEC to stay impartial and count only biometrically verified votes. (Pajhwok)