Pajhwok Afghan News (PAN) Weekly Election Coverage Newsletter, Jan.22-28

Mohammad Tamim Nuristani told Pajhwok Afghan News some polling stations in a number of districts would remain closed on the election day (April 5). He said the 18 polling stations were located in Kamdish, Barg-i-Matal and Want Waigal districts. “I have also shared the issue with ISAF representatives in Nuristan a day earlier.” The governor said the government would not be able to ensure security for these stations within available resources, saying insecurity and delay in transfer of electoral materials contributing to their concerns. According to Nuristani, ISAF representatives had promised him they would airlift electoral materials to areas he wanted. “I can assure there will be transparent polling in 55 stations, but 18 stations will stay closed,” said Nuristani, Kunduz, Takhar journalists concern over elections who called Nuristan a mountainous province, which is coverage : By Hidayatullah Hamdard Jan 23, 2014 - 14:53 home to rebel sanctuaries. Provincial Independent Election Commission (IEC) head KUNDUZ (Pajhwok): A number of journalists in northern Izatullah acknowledged voting was unlikely in some parts Kunduz and Takhar provinces expressed their grave of the province. concerns over what they feared growing insecurity and “Insecurity in some parts will put a question mark on the lack of cooperation by local authorities to cover the vote’s credibility,” he added. activities during the landmark elections. http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/01/23/voting-unlikely-18- Shahbaz Sabiri, a journalist, while addressing a gathering polling-stations-nuristani of media-people in Kunduz said many areas in the province were in control of which was a serious threat to the entire election process. Lack of cooperation by local authorities with media and absence of law and order and good security in far-flung areas were among the main challenges being confronted by journalists, he informed. He expressed optimism the local authority would adopt stringent security measures for journalists to get better coverage of ballot. But Inayatullah, governor’s spokesperson, in his chat with Pajhwok Afghan News assured the provincial authority would take all measures for the security of journalists to cover the election activities. http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/01/23/kunduz-takhar- journalists-concern-over-elections-coverage Voting unlikely in 18 polling stations: Nuristani Transparency in elections underlined By Mahbob Shah Mahbob Jan 23, 2014 - 08:08 By Abasin Zaheer Jan 23, 2014 - 16:19

JALALABAD (Pajhwok): The governor said on Thursday (Pajhwok): The provincial council people would not be able to cast their votes at 18 of the candidates on Thursday underlined the importance total 72 polling stations designated in eastern Nuristan for holding free, fair and transparent presidential and province due to escalating insecurity. provincial elections.

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KABUL (Pajhwok): The provincial council candidates on Daudzai told participants of a seminar in Kabul that Thursday underlined the importance for holding free, fair insurgents had mounted anti-government activities as part and transparent presidential and provincial elections. of a plot to derail the polls. During a meeting of the Independent Candidates’ Coopera- The four-day seminar that began today involves provincial tive Council,’ Sailab Waziri, a candidate from Kabul prov- police chiefs to discuss security arrangements for the ince, said the aim of the council was elimination of tribal April elections. differences in the country and support the ballot process to “We have reports that militants have been ordered from be conducted as per its schedule. abroad to step up their activities using their hideouts “We want the April elections to be held on its schedule,” he during the winter season in to create mayhem said, adding their council was stressing to ensure neutrality during the elections.” of government officials during the polls. However, he said such nefarious designs would yield no The government should authorize the provincial councils to results because insurgents were not in a position to create oversee the role of local officials, he said. big problems. “The election will be held as scheduled,” he “If the government does not give us the authority to over- vowed. see the process then we will start awareness campaign to The Ministry of Interior has issued a report on election inform civil society about the issue to achieve their rights,” security, saying security for 94 percent polling stations he said. could be provided and 414 polling stations in insecure A candidate from Bamyan province, Taiba Khawri support- parts would stay closed. ed Waziri’s view point saying that government should help Daudzai expressed optimism a number of closed polling prevent use of force, corruption and rigging in the elec- stations would be provided security during the elections. tions. He said around 800 polling stations faced high security She demanded the government to take all possible threats but the number would be decreased within next measures for holding transparent elections and all candi- two months after their security was ensured. dates should be treated equally. The minister asked police chiefs to bring into use all their Her colleague from Khost province, Noor Shah Noorani energies and available resources in maintaining security said 100 members of the ‘Independent Candidates’ Cooper- during election days and should stay impartial throughout ative Council’ would extend their cooperation to the gov- the process. ernment to pave ground for opening polling stations in re- http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/01/22/rebels-out-derail-polls- mote areas. won%E2%80%99t-succeed-daudzai http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/01/23/transparency- elections-underlined NATO defence chiefs talk Afghan mission, polls By Ahmad Quraishi Jan 22, 2014 - 22:15

KABUL (Pajhwok): NATO countries defence chiefs on Wednesday discussed post-2014 mission in Afghanistan and the April presidential elections as they met for a two -day annual meeting in the Belgium capital. In his opening remarks, the alliance Military Committee Chairman, Gen. Knud Bartels told the 170th meeting that a challenging year was ahead for the alliance: He said they should continue to deliver success on current operations in Afghanistan, Kosovo and NATO’s maritime missions given the current threat to global security. “Now is not a time for complacency or a lack of resolve.” Gen. Knud Bartels said at the meeting they would meet with partners from the mission in Afghanistan and would Rebels out to derail polls but won’t succeed: Daudzai be briefed by NATO’s Senior Civilian Representative in By Hassan Khitab Jan 22, 2014 - 17:05 the country and ISAF commander. He said in the last 11 months of ISAF operation in Afghanistan, NATO KABUL (Pajhwok): Referring to recent deadly insurgent remained committed to developing Afghan forces. He said attacks, Interior Minister on the meeting would take stock of the process, with a Wednesday claimed Taliban militants had been ordered by particular focus on preparations for the Afghan presiden- their foreign handlers to intensify attacks in Afghanistans in tial elections and the alliance’s post-2014 mission. a plot to sabotage the April elections.

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He said NATO was currently working with Afghan authorities to establish legal framework for its future mission. “We will continue to develop our plans so that we are ready to deliver when required,” he said of Afghanistan. “Today, we will therefore take stock of our planning and preparation for the delivery on the Train Advise and Assist Mission after 2014, to support the continuing development of credible, capable and sustainable Afghan security forces.” Gen. Bartels said NATO would also seek an agreement on a work plan for cooperation in 2014 and consider some practical examples of cooperation between NATO and Russia through the Cooperative Airspace Initiative and the implementation of the Afghanistan Helicopter Trust Fund. Jirga fails to lure candidates into talks http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/01/22/nato-defence-chiefs-talk By Meer Agha Nasrat Samimi Jan 22, 2014 - 17:19 -afghan-mission-polls KABUL (Pajhwok): The Council for Understanding or Irregularities alleged in IEC recruitment Shura-i-Tafahum, aiming to reduce the number of By Sahel Mangal Jan 22, 2014 - 14:53 presidential candidates through consensus, on Wednesday acknowledged its failure to bring the hopefuls together GARDEZ (Pajhwok): Some residents allege the for a discussion, despite efforts spanning three months. Independent Election Commission (IEC) has appointed The 14-member jirga, comprising tribal and religious relatives of influential people and provincial council leaders from across the country, has been created by members to its awareness-creating programme in former President Sibghatullah Mujadidi. southeastern Paktia province. The IEC has shortlisted and The council was brought into being after concerns raised appointed 43 out of 430 applicants for the election that the so many candidates would divide voters at a time awareness programme in the province. when Afghanistan needs national unity in the wake of Abdullah Mukhlis, an applicant, said all the 43 individuals foreign troops’ withdrawal by the end of this year. hired had strong connections with provincial officials and The council members say reducing the number of council members. presidential candidates would help cut election costs and Lutfullah, another applicant, claimed he had been rejected keep the vote from going to a second round. despite having a higher education degree and experience in However, they admit their failure to bring the candidates the relevant field. He also alleged those appointed were together for discussion on important issues of national blue-eyed persons of senior government officials. interest. But the allegations were spurned by local IEC officials, Former Wolesi Jirga member, Mueen Marastial, also a who insisted the entire recruitment process was transparent. member of the council, told Pajhwok Afghan News their IEC Paktia office head Rahmatullah Haqmal said the efforts at bringing together the 11 presidential candidates applicants had been shortlisted keeping in mind their for a discussion and knowing about their opinions had qualification and experience. failed to yield any satisfactory results. He said a delegation from Kabul monitored the process that He said the council was now trying to bring at least five preferred locals with high education and experience in the candidates together for a maiden discussion. field. Free and Fair Election Foundation (FEFA) officials “Only five candidates have agreed with us to sit and called the complaints as justified, saying awareness discuss, but the meeting is yet to be held because one or campaigners had been hired on the basis of nepotism. two of them are reluctant to attend it,” he said. FEFA Paktia chapter head Ihsanullah Hamidi said they had He said jirga members were convinced no candidate received complaints and had started investigating the hiring would shun his candidacy in favour of others. “I don’t process. think any candidate will renounce his candidacy,” Hamidi said the delegation from Kabul had played no role Marastial said. in the appointments, adding the complaints had been sent Some analysts believe the elections may go to a second to their main office in Kabul. round because none of the candidates seem to attain the Link: http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/01/22/irregularities- magic 50 percent plus one vote margin needed to avoid a alleged-iec-recruitment runoff. Link: http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/01/22/jirga- fails-lure-candidates-talks

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Militant hideouts a threat to polls in Wardak By Mohammad Asif Ahmadzai Jan 23, 2014 - 19:08

KABUL (Pajhwok): Maidan Wardak governor Abdul Majeed Khogyani on Thursday said militant hideouts posed a serious security threat to the April elections in the central province.

He was speaking at a gathering attended by US State Department High Representative for southeastern Afghanistan Karin Decker, military and civil officials in Maidan Shahr, the provincial capital.

Naeemi said though insurgents had been weakened in all districts of the province as a result of improved Afghan polls: EU neutrality promised coordination between security organs, yet militant hideouts By Mahbob Shah Mahbob Jan 22, 2014 - 14:00 remained in some parts. (Pajhwok): The European Union (EU) would impartially observe Afghanistan’s presidential and He called on the ministries of interior and defence to provincial council polls due on April 5 to ensure a launch operations and dismantle the hideouts ahead of the credible vote, members of an EU feasibility study team elections so people could cast their votes without fear. told officials in eastern Nangarhar province on “If the available forces in Wardak are better equipped and Wednesday. deputed to election duty, I believe the vote will pass off in The team has been in Afghanistan over the past few days peace,” he said. to assess the situation ahead of deploying a potential EU poll observation mission to assist and monitor the He also complained about the fewer number of landmark elections, a historic political transition from one policewomen to be available for election duty, asking the elected government to another. Ministry of Interior to cooperate with his administration in Headed by Alfred Grannas, the EU deputy head of this regard. delegation to Afghanistan, the visiting delegates met with “Whenever I have a meeting with tribal elders, I have Nangarhar Governor Maulvi Attaullah Ludin and local found them keenly interested in the elections. This is election and government officials. something that encourages me to say the vote will be a Ludin’s spokesman Ahmad Zia told Pajhwok Afghan success,” the governor said. News the EU delegation held a meeting with the governor at his office late Tuesday. Other senior local Election officials should extend awareness-creating officials were present at the meeting, he said. programmes to all districts in order to ensure a satisfactory He said the delegation arrived in Nangarhar to evaluate turnout, he said. preparations and security measures so far taken in the For her part, the US diplomat called negative propaganda lead-up to the fast-approaching elections. by militants regarding the elections as a major threat. She He quoted Grance as saying the EU had sent the team said the election commission should intensify efforts at from Brussels following a proposal from the Afghan countering the propaganda. government to study the situation ahead of the polls. Provincial police chief Fahim Qaem stressed the need for They would hold talks with authorities in Kabul and other more cooperation and coordination among security organs, provinces before presenting their findings to EU officials saying there had been no security threats in Wardak as back in Brussels. feared. Ludin told the delegation Afghans were ready and So far 30,000 people, including 8,000 women, have been prepared to embrace two historic events this year --- the issued voter registration cards in the province, with the landmark polls and the fifth phase of the security campaign still ongoing in the provincial capital. transition. http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/01/23/militant-hideouts- Link: http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/01/22/afghan-polls-eu threat-polls-wardak -neutrality-promised

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He added that the list of disqualified wannabes, hailing from different provinces, would be sent to the Independent Election Commission (IEC) later in the day. As the process of document scrutiny continues, more can- didates are likely to be struck off the list. The watchdog has indicated some of the 2,700 individuals with fake doc- uments may be thrown out of the race. Link: http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/01/26/25-provincial- council-runners-disqualified

148 Ghazni polling stations under threat By Saifullah Maftoon Jan 25, 2014 - 19:38

GHAZNI CITY (Pajhwok): Of the 423 polling stations in southern Ghazni provinces, 148 are facing a high security threat, officials said on Saturday. A cleanup operation was needed to purge the area of militants and eliminate the looming threat to elections, a senior Afghan National Army officer said Maj. Asmatullah, the 203rd Thunder Military Corps Abdullah queries Karzai’s terms for BSA signing coordinator, told Pajhwok Afghan News all polling By Hassan Khitab Jan 26, 2014 - 17:08 stations in Nava district would remain closed to avoid any untoward incident. KABUL (Pajhwok): Leading presidential candidate Dr A search operation would be launched in a number of on Sunday said that bringing peace to districts to reduce security threat levels, said Gen. Haidar the country needed time, hinting at delay in signing of the Nekpai, the corps commander. Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA) with the US. Shah Jahan, regional chief of the Independent Election Addressing a press conference in Kabul, Abdullah Commission (IEC), urged the officials concerned to regretted that President ’s recent remarks on maintain security so that essential materials could be the BSA impasse had fuelled concerns among the masses. transferred to polling stations. Karzai has linked BSA signing to peace in Afghanistan, Link: http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/01/25/148-ghazni- but meeting the condition would take a long time, polling-stations-under-threat Abdullah said, explaining that the goal of durable security could not be achieved soon. 25 provincial council runners disqualified He added the presidential stance had triggered capital flight By Meer Agha samimi Jan 26, 2014 - 15:45 from the country, increasing joblessness and creating multiple problems. “In private, Karzai has been consulting KABUL (Pajhwok): More than two dozen provincial his close allies on how to deal with the challenges.” council candidates failing to meet the lower age limit If issues of national importance continued to be discussed have been disqualified, the electoral watchdog announced behind the scenes, Karzai should take people into on Sunday. Independent Election Complaints Commis- confidence, he observed, asking the president to serve the sion (IECC) Secretary Mohammad Nader Mohseni told nation well during his remaining two months in office. Pajhwok Afghan News the 25 contenders were yet to Also a former foreign minister, he said the consultative attain the required age of 25 years. Loya Jirga in November had endorsed the BSA contents Also the IECC spokesman, Mohseni said the decision on except the legal jurisdiction over the US troops staying in removing the provincial council hopefuls from the list of Afghanistan beyond 2014, he said. candidates was based on a scrutiny of their documents.

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But stability was an issue that concerned the Afghans "We will provide logistical support to the local security themselves, remarked the National Coalition of Afghanistan forces if we are asked by the Afghan government,” he leader, who tended to reject Karzai’s stance that foreigners said, hoping Afghan forces would continue to deal with alone could bring peace to the country. the challenges ahead. As the US seeks early signing of the BSA, Karzai has set LINK: http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/01/26/isaf-ready- preconditions, including a stop to raids on civilian homes, provide-logistical-support-polls holding of transparent elections and peace negotiations with the Taliban. Abdullah opined if detainees were really being held illegally at the Bagram jail, relevant judicial organs should take measures to deal with the question, not a government-appointed committee. Recently, 600 inmates were released from the Bagram jail by the Afghan Review Board looking into prisoner cases. A day earlier, Karzai told a news conference that the Bagram prison was a Taliban-making machine, where innocent Afghans were jailed. Regarding recent attacks in Kabul, Abdullah said there was no doubt the fact that the Afghan government was responsible for maintaining security across the country. Polls impossible if BSA not inked: Sherzai On January 17, Taliban militants launched a suicide attack By Pajhwok Report Jan 26, 2014 - 20:09 against a high-end restaurant in Kabul, killing 21 people, including 13 foreigners. Today’s suicide attack left four KABUL (Pajhwok): Prominent presidential runner Gul people dead and more than 20 others wounded. Agha Sherzai on Sunday warned holding the April Regarding security of polling stations, Abdullah said the elections would be impossible if the Bilateral Security report needed be reexamined to make a clear distinction Agreement (BSA) was not signed with Washington. between secure and vulnerable election sites. But President Hamid Karzai has linked singing of the Based on a report from security organs, the Independent crucial pact with a free and fair ballot, result-oriented Election Commission (IEC) says 414 of the 6,845 polling peace negotiations with Taliban and a halt to raids on sites in eleven provinces will remain closed on Election civilian homes. Addressing a press conference in Kabul, Day. the former Nangarhar governor said: “I’m uncertain about Link: http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/01/26/abdullah-queries- elections in Afghanistan if the BSA is not signed.” karzai%E2%80%99s-terms-bsa-signing Calling 2014 a crucial year for Afghanistan’s future, he acknowledged the country remained dependent on ISAF ready to provide logistical support for polls international aid, particularly assistance from the US and By Muhammad Hasan Khitab Jan 26, 2014 - 11:36 NATO-led troops, to stabilise economy and security. He underlined the need for abiding by the decision of the KABUL (Pajhwok): The International Security Assistance consultative Loya Jirga on the BSA, saying Washington Force (ISAF) said on Sunday Afghan forces had the was providing Afghanistan with $2.2 billion annually in capacity to provide security for the upcoming polls. The development assistance but the impasse prompted alliance also reiterated its willingness to provide logistical Congress to cut the aid by 50 percent. support for the landmark elections. The assistance was curtailed due to the ongoing deadlock Brig. Gen. Todd Balfe, the ISAF deputy chief of staff for between President Hamid Karzai and the US, he claimed, communications told journalists their evaluation showed asking Washington not to slash aid to Afghanistan due to that capacity of Afghan security forces had considerably the presidential stance. “BSA should not be held hostage improved. to one’s personal interests. I call on President Karzai to He said local forces demonstrated their capability of ward off a looming disaster and sign the agreement as ensuring tight security for the consultative Loya Jirga on soon as possible,” he suggested. By the same token, he the Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA) with the US. called on presidential candidates, political parties, Speaking at the ISAF headquarters in Kabul, the Canadian prominent figures and civil society networks to forge general said: “Afghan security forces have all the unity in their ranks for early signing of the security pact. capabilities to independently provide security for Link: http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/01/26/polls- presidential and provincial council elections. impossible-if-bsa-not-inked-sherzai

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Mohammad Tahir Faizi, a provincial council member, told Pajhwok Afghan News security forces were unaware of the ground situation and made unrealistic claims regarding the law and order situation in the province. Farzana Shansab, another member of the provincial council, also expressed her reservations. She accused security forces of trying to hoodwink locals about the situation in the province. She urged Independent Election Commission (IEC) to rethink security arrangements for sensitive polling stations in the area ahead of the April 5ballot. Abdul Jalil, a resident of the Pangram village in Charkh Youth role in free polls underlined district, said militants had a strong presence in the area, By Pajhwok reporter Jan 26, 2014 - 17:19 where conducting the elections would be difficult. But Brig. Gen. Abdul Hakim Ishaqzai, the provincial KUNDUZ CITY (Pajhwok): Calling for fair, transparent police chief, said a proper election security plan had been and independent elections, residents of northern Kunduz drawn up. He added security forces would strive to ensure province on Sunday vowed to thwart any attempt at law and order during elections. manipulating results. Deputy Governor Mohammad Hashim Faizi said they have At a gathering in the provincial capital, a large number of enough time until the elections and would be able to make men and women discussed the role youth could play in proper security arrangements. making the elections inclusive and transparent. Abdul Waheed Samsor, the IEC regional officer, said They offered to play their role in the larger interest of the security agencies had assured the commission of doing country but asked the Independent Election Commission their bit to ensure the polls were held in a peaceful (IEC) to ensure the polls were held without any environment. Interference. http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/01/27/logar-election-security- Najibullah Omarkhel, the head of the National Youth claim-spurned Association, said the gathering was arranged to discuss the role of youth in the upcoming elections. “We demand a fair and violence-free ballot. Youth can play a significant role in ensuring transparency in the elections,” Omarkhel said, adding it was their right to step into the political arena and determine their future. Syed Abdullah Hashimi, another participant, said youth could play constructive during the entire polls’ process. Nadira Giah, the women affairs director, stressed women should play an active role in make the elections a success. “Youth are an asset to country, they have to play a due role in politics as well.” Link: http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/01/26/youth-role -free-polls-underlined Logar election security claim spurned Logar election security claim spurned By Maqsud Azizi Jan 27, 2014 - 13:34 By Maqsud Azizi Jan 27, 2014 - 13:34 KABUL (Pajhwok): The Free and Fair Election PUL-I-Alam: (Pajhwok): Residents and provincial Foundation of Afghanistan (FEFA) on Monday voiced council members on Monday rejected the official claim of concern over security threats to female provincial council polling stations’ security in central Logar provinces. candidates. FEFA said women poll contenders were facing Officials assured residents of tight security during the multiple problems in filing their nomination papers with elections despite the fact that half of the polling stations the electoral body and the issue must be addressed. Women were still under threat from militants, one public contestants were faced with security problems and representative said. discriminatory behaviour on the part of Independent Elec- tion Commission (IEC) officials, FEFA said in a statement.

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FEFA released a report last month on women’s access to political rights in 34 provinces of the country. Since December 21, 2013, the foundation held talks with 272 of the 334 provincial council nominees. The report revealed female candidates were threatened by male counterparts and armed rebels amid discriminatory behavior from religious scholars, tribal elders and IEC officials. Addressing a news conference in Kabul, FEFA’s women wing head Marzia Faraz identified discriminatory behaviour, security problems and support to some candidates by security forces and IEC officials as main challenges to women contenders. She said most of the problems were noticed in eastern and southern provinces while security forces in some parts of the country failed to demonstrate neutrality. Warlords trying to influence poll process FEFA spokesman Mohammad Fahim Naeemi said 67 of By Saifullah Maftoon Jan 28, 2014 - 11:56 272 female candidates confirmed facing security problems, asking the interior ministry and the IEC to provide the GHAZNI CITY (Pajhwok): Warlords and gangsters are required facilities to the women contestants. trying to influence the presidential and provincial council Link: http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/01/27/women-candidates polls in southern Ghazni province to get their favourite -facing-security-problems-fefa candidates elected, residents and contenders alleged on Tuesday. 3 Baghlan polling stations under threat Nadir Khan Giruwal, a provincial council candidate, By Habib Rahman Sherzai Jan 27, 2014 - 18:56 claimed warlords and mafia members were stronger than PUL-I-KHUMRI (Pajhwok): The number of polling the government in Ghazni, where free and transparent stations under security threat in northern Baghlan province elections would be impossible. has fallen from eight to three, officials said on Monday. Security had been ensured for five polling stations that were He asked the Independent Election Commission (IEC) and declared vulnerable in Baghlan-i-Markazi district, other authorities concerned to take tangible steps to rein in provincial police chief, Brig Gen Aminullah Amarkhel, told criminal groups to prevent rigging in the ballot. Pajhwok Afghan News. Voicing similar concerns, another provincial council Three other polling stations in Burka and Pul Hesar districts runner Ali Daryab Salehi feared the elections in Ghazni remained under the threat, but they would try their best to would be unfair if measures were not adopted to reverse ensure security for all election sites the April 5 vote, he the use of force and meddling. said. The regional Independent Election Commission (IEC) A resident of Ghazni City, Mohammad Asif, said chief, Mohammad Aman Usman, welcomed efforts by escalating insecurity in the province offered a level security forces and hoped the remaining voting centres playing field only to warlords and mafia. would also be protected. But Governor Musa Khan Akbarzada promised nobody would be allowed to meddle in or rig the presidential and He said 150,000 people, including 30 percent women, had provincial council elections. been issued with voter cards in Baghlan. He hoped the He hoped the elections would be conducted in a more election process would be conducted peacefully. transparent manner than in the past and they would not Recently some IEC officials said security organs had failed allow anyone to sabotage the process. to ensure security of 414 polling stations. But the Ministry IEC’s local office head Shah Jahan Sarwari also vowed to of Interior says the election will be hold in 94 percent areas hold free polls, saying they would foil all fraud attempts of the country. with the help of security forces and observers. http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/01/27/3-baghlan-polling- http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/01/28/warlords-trying- stations-under-threat influence-poll-process

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Call for election awareness drive in Ghazni Security plan for presidential runners unveiled By Saifullah Maftoon Jan 28, 2014 - 20:05 By Khwaja Basir Fitri Jan 28, 2014 - 16:14

GHAZNI CITY (Pajhwok): Some civil society networks and KABUL (Pajhwok): The Ministry of Interior (MoI) the FRD organisation on Tuesday called for a public awareness drive in connection with the April elections in would provide each presidential candidate with three far-flung areas of southern Ghazni province. armoured and as many ordinary vehicles, as well as

The Independent Election Commission (IEC) should conduct 35 police personnel, to ensure their security during the public awareness campaign throughout the country, they election campaign, an official said on Tuesday. said, warning of a low voter turnout if such an effort was not made. MoI spokesman Ghulam Siddique Siddiqui told a press conference in Kabul the decision had been The call came at a gathering organised by the FRD and other civil society organisations in Ghazni City. Resident taken at a meeting of the National Security Council. Waheedullah told Pajhwok Afghan News so far he did not He asked the 11 contenders to receive their vehicles know about the exact date of presidential and provincial council elections and the candidates. and introduce their guards to the ministry. He said if people were not given a proper awareness Presidential and provincial council elections are programme they would be unable to formally participate in the elections to cast their votes. scheduled to be held on April 5 this year, with the two-month campaign for presidential polls starting Farzana, another participant, said huge amount of money were spent on the election process, but the IEC failed to on February 2. launch awareness programmes among public in a move to As many as 323 polling centres had been added to better understand the meaning of elections. Frotan Kamran, head of FRD organization, said since last on 6,845 polling centres, the MoI spokesman said. On month his organization had provided awareness programmes January 14, a report from security agencies said only to nearly 600 people including civil society activists and tribal leaders in a number of provinces. 414 polling stations would not be secure. In order to ensure tight security, Siddiqui asked the Shah Jahan Sarwari, IEC regional chief, said such gatherings were result oriented, saying his department had assigned 70 presidential hopefuls to inform the relevant agencies people in order to initiate awareness campaign in remote two days prior to planned campaign programmes. areas.

Link:http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/01/28/call-election- awareness-drive-ghazni Link: http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/01/28/security- plan-presidential-runners-unveiled

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He said some presidential candidates were likely to renounce candidacies in favour of others after forging alliances, although their names had been published on the ballot papers.

The election commission was required to come up with measures to prevent voters from casting their ballots in favour of the dropped out candidates, he opined. IEC says 90 percent of ballot papers and other election materials have arrived in Afghanistan from abroad. IEC to print 1.3m sample ballot papers The sample ballot papers are being distributed when By Meer Agha Nasrat Samimi Jan 29, 2014 - 15:21 more than two months are left for the April 5 presidential and provincial council elections. KABUL (PAN): The Independent Election Commission (IEC) on Wednesday said it was printing 1.3 million sample ballot papers to help Link: http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/01/29/iec-print- illiterate and remote area residents understand how 13m-sample-ballot-papers to cast their votes. IEC spokesman Noor Mohammad Noor said the black and white papers would be distributed to people through appointed individuals for the purpose of creating awareness among registered voters about the elections and candidates. “In the distribution process, illiterate people living in villages and remote parts out of media coverage will be given priority,” he said, hoping the move would help educate such individuals on the voting process.

Noor said IEC had appointed 1,600 individuals for the job across the country and they had practically launched their activities. Meanwhile, Free and Fair Elections Foundation of Afghanistan head Jandad Spinghar said the sample ballot papers would help people know how the ballot had been designed and where names of candidates placed. “People will understand prior to voting the design of ballot paper, photos of candidates and their election symbols so they avoid any mistake,” he said.

He said the sample papers should be distributed in remote parts, where tribal elders and prayers leaders should be involved in the process.

Spinghar said the election commission should continue the awareness programme until one week remained for the voting.

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