KABUL - President Hamid Karzai on Tuesday reappointed Ziaul Haq Amarkhel as Independent Election Commission (IEC) secretary.

A spokesman for the Office of Administrative Affairs told Pajhwok Afghan News they had received presidential orders to the effect.

Mohammad Rafi Firdaus said the president had approved Amarkhel’s second tenure on the basis of the recommendation from the commission members.

Under a recently-sanctioned law regarding the structure, authority and responsibilities of poll panels, the IEC secretary is to be appointed by the president in line with members’ suggestion.

On Aug 3, Dr. Ahmad Yousaf Nuristani and Abdul Rahman Hotaki were elected respectively as Independent Election Commission (IEC) chairman and deputy chief on Saturday.

IEC member Sharifa Zurmati told Pajhwok Afghan News that Nuristani defeated Sareer Ahmad Barmak while Hotaki outpolled Qazi Suleman Hamid.

They replace Fazal Ahmad Manawi and Abdul Khaliq Hussaini. Also a former lawmaker, Zurmati said Gulalai Achakzai was elected as IEC secretary. (Pajhwok)