KABUL - Amid rumors about a possible change in the schedule for next year's presidential and provincial elections, the poll panel on Saturday reiterated its resolve to hold the ballots on time and in line with the constitution.
Both elections are due on April 5, 2014, when most of foreign combat troops will leave amid growing anxiety among Afghans about insecurity across the country.
Independent Election Commission (’IEC) Secretary Ziaul Haq Amarkhel said the commission was once again reiterating its resolve to ensure the upcoming elections went ahead as scheduled.
He said the commission would do its best in cooperation with the government, international community, civil society, media, politicians and the people that the elections happened on time.
In Kabul, opposition parties have been talking about a delay in the vote or bringing it forward by a year, saying both options would violate the conditions laid down in the constitution.
A senior leader of the National Collation of Afghanistan (NCA) on Friday asked President Hamid Karzai to reject proposals aimed at delaying next year’s elections.
Karzai should not heed flawed suggestions for the continuity of the present set-up or setting back the presidential and provincial council polls, Mohammad Yunus Qanuni said.
But Amarkhel assured in a statement the commission remained committed to holding free and fair elections for the sake of a stable future government.
"If we desire a good future and want to see Afghanistan a good friend of neighbours committed to the strategic agreements it has inked with friendly countries, all these goals can be realised by transition of power through a transparent vote," he remarked.
He said Afghanistan had achieved progress in many areas over the past 12 years and the upcoming elections were crucial to the country’s further development.
But violence is spreading in much of the country ahead of the elections. At least 50 people were killed and nearly 100 others wounded in a well-coordinated attack on a courtroom in Farah province on Thursday.
The parliament is debating laws on the structure, duties and powers of election bodies amid calls from the election commission and politicians for the early approval of the drafts. (Pajhwok)