KABUL - Independent Electoral Complaints Commission (IECC) on Sunday said it could not respond to all the complaints on due date due to their high number.
Independent Election Commission (IEC) announced preliminary results of September 28 presidential election on December 22.
Four presidential candidates lodged 16,500 complaints after the announcement of the results.
Based on the election schedule, addressing complaints shall be completed in 15 days in capital Kabul and the same period in provinces of the country.
However, IECC’s deputy spokesperson, Zarmina Kakar on Sunday told Pajhwok Afghan News that the number of complaints registered was too high and provincial offices of the commission were unable to respond to them in time.
“The number of complaints is high, these complaints need to be registered in the system and then sent to provinces, after performing the primary tasks related to these complaints, only 11 days remain for responding to them which is a short period for provincial offices of IECC to deal with them all,” she said.
She added that the IECC would give all its efforts for completing response to complaints in the given date, but if failed then the period would be extended.
On the other hand, a number of candidates support extension of time for responding electoral complaints while some others oppose it.
Painda Hekmat, spokesman of Dr. Abdullah Abdullah’s team told Pajhwok Afghan News that they had no problem if the IECC extended time for better responding to complaints.
“The first date should be in their mind, but if it is extended for transparency and justice then we agree with it,” he said.
Fazl Ghani Haqmal, spokesman of Gulbuddin Hekmatyar’s team said that they would support if the IECC extended time for responding to electoral complaints.
“We would have no problem if the time for accurate and transparent process of complaints is extended,” he said.
However, Amir Mohammad Muzfar, a member of Ashraf Ghani’s election team said that the IECC should complete responding to complaints on its due date.
“Complaints should be investigated based on laws and procedures, there is no need for violating the law,” he said.
Free and Fair Election Foundation of Afghanistan (FFEFA) head, Yousuf Rashid also said that the time for responding complaints should not be extended as it was against the law.
“If the commission does it then it cannot defend itself against blame,” he said.
He said that the IECC should increase its personnel in provinces so they would be able to respond to complaints on due date.
Meanwhile, IEC said that they agree with the IECC whatever it decides about transparency for election. (Pajhwok)