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Home , Abdullah Abdullah, Azizullah Karzai, Habiba Sarabi, Juma Khan Hamdard, Mohammad Gulab Mangal

Pajhwok Afghan News (PAN) Weekly Election Coverage Newsletter, Feb.5-11

During the first TV debate since the beginning of the campaign, the candidates also discussing ways of combating widespread administrative corruption and promoting democracy, women’s rights and freedom of expression. Security deal with US: Rassoul, Ghani and Karzai supporting concluding the pact, but Abdullah and Wardak were not asked for their stance on the issue. However, Abdullah has previously backed the accord. The BSA, part of strategic cooperation between and Washington, had been endorsed by a consultative Loya Jirga in November, Rassoul said. The accord, respecting ’s sovereignty, would strengthen peace, he believed. For his part, Ghani opined signing the Helmand police assure candidates’ security BSA would reinforce the country’s independence -- a view By Shams Jalal Feb 5, 2014 - 17:30 shared by Qayyum Karzai, who said Afghan forces could not guarantee security on their own. (Pajhwok): Police on Wednesday said Government system: they were ready to provide security for presidential and Four contenders favoured the current constitutional order, provincial council candidates campaigning in southern but Abdullah promised that he would introduce the Helmand province. parliamentary system if he won the vote. Police chief Gen. Mohammad Hakim Angar told a Abdullah supported the parliamentary system because it meeting police and army would remain neutral during the involves active participation of political parties, people and two-month electioneering period and would secure the elected members. A government thus elected remains election process. accountable to the masses. With tribal elders and religious scholars present, Angar Other participants said the existing situation on the ground said influential individuals had been invited to the meeting did not warrant any change in the system. The country was to give advice and share their suggestions with police not in a stable position to cope with such a change, they force to better discharge responsibilities. argued. He said the police had become professional and had no Peace process: The five men batting to succeed President links with any political groups. He warned police officers had almost identical views on the peace pro- of action if found guilty of violating laws and doing cess, calling some groups patriotic and willing to politics. return to normal live. But those linked to Al-Qaeda promot- Tribal elder Ahlullah Obaidi told the meeting said if the ed a foreign agenda and would be dealt with sternly. They government wanted professional and corruption-free suggested talks with the fighters who were ready to lay police, it should increase their salaries, encourage them down arms and cut ties with foreign terrorist outfits. Ghani and assist families of martyred police officers. slammed the killing of people. Corruption and injustice had Link: http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/02/05/helmand-police- forced many of the rebels into taking up arms, he noted. assure-candidates%E2%80%99-security Rassoul said war was not a solution to any issue, but in the Presidential runners back BSA, Taliban talks same breath, he favoured the use of force against militants By Meer Agha samimi Feb 5, 2014 - 16:18 involved in bombing mosques, torching schools and killing Afghan security personnel. But Ghani said peace could be KABUL (Pajhwok): In a lively overnight debate, five of achieved only when the government and the armed opposi- the 11 presidential runners supported signing of the Bilat- tion showed flexibility and reached agreement on a system. eral Security Agreement (BSA) with the United States and “Peace will come about if both sides discuss the real issues outlined their vision for a future political structure. Gen. and show flexibility in their stance. Power sharing will not Abdul Rahim Wardak, Dr. , Dr. Abdullah bring about peace,” he maintained. Abdullah said Afghans Abdullah, Dr. and Abdul Qayyum Karzai desired peace, calling for war on opponents of peace, a ref- offered their views on a wide range of topics, including erence to defiant Taliban. Link: http://www.pajhwok.com/ the BSA, the economy, corruption and peace with Taliban. en/2014/02/05/presidential-runners-back-bsa-taliban-talks

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Pajhwok Afghan News Election Coverage Newsletter

Residents air security concerns ahead of polls By Hadi Ghafari Feb 5, 2014 - 15:07 BAMYAN CITY (Pajhwok): Hundreds of residents of the Shibar district in central on Wednesday complained of the presence of illegal gunmen in the areas, fearing they might not vote in the April elections.

But local officials rejected the complaint as exaggerated, insisting no significant armed groups operated in the district. The authorities said there was no threat to provincial and presidential elections there. Residents said as many as 300 families living in Ghandak, Aspi Sang, Pul Sharwal, Dahan Anaba and Jalali also lends his weight to Ghani Qalacha areas faced serious security threats from the By Hassan Khitab Feb 5, 2014 - 17:05 armed groups. KABUL (Pajhwok): The Fikr Aw Amal Jirga, a party led by ex-interior minister Ali Ahmad Jalali, on An influential elder, Mullah Bismillah, told Pajhwok Wednesday announced its support to leading Afghan News that about 140 individuals had already met presidential candidate Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai. the governor on behalf of the 300 families to discuss their problem, but no action had been taken so far. At a gathering of the Jirga, representing around 200 influential figures, Jalali slammed the misuse of Bismillah identified the illegal armed commanders as foreign aid over the past 12 years. Mullah Gul Badin, Haji Mohammad, Raees Bakhash and The incoming government would not have much Abdal. The militants are bullying Shibar residents for support and should work more with fewer resources, their support to the newly-appointed district police chief. Jalali said, stressing better capacity to tackle the challenges facing Afghanistan. He said the polling stations in Ghandak area were under “Addressing these challenges requires strong and the control of the armed men and local residents could not united leadership and a good team and programme. go there for voting. “If the security situation does not The Jirga sees this ability in the programmes and the improve, we cannot participate in the polls,” he feared. leadership of Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai. Therefore, we But Bamyan Governor said there were no armed groups operating in the area, where some support him.” individuals had issues with the police officer. The Ghani hailed the jirga’s announcement, saying its problem would be resolved by a peace committee, Wahdat support had taken him a step closer to victory in the assured. April election. Provincial police chief, Brig Gen Khudayar Qudusi, said His camp offered space to any political or movement security forces would not let anyone disrupt election for working together to find ways of putting the affairs and they were ready to ensure security of polling country on the road to stability. Without a powerful stations. government, the country could not be reconstructed,” Any armed group found in Ghandak area would be Ghani said. disarmed by security forces, he indicated. Mohammad Gulab , former Helmand Regional Independent Election Commission (IEC) chief, governor, said the Jirga represented all ethnic groups, Ali Yawar Aliyarzada, said the Shibar problem had not been referred to them so far. But if such a threat exists, influential figures, investors and intellectuals. IEC officials will resolve it as soon as possible. Sibghatullah Mujaddedi, Sayed Ahmad Gilani, Anwarul Haq Ahadi and Right and Justice Party Link: http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/02/05/residents- leader Hanif Atmar have also announced their support air-security-concerns-ahead-polls to Ahmadzai.

Link: http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/02/05/jalali-also-lends- his-weight-ghani

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Shortage of ballot papers feared He added the NIA had been operating as a constructive By Zabihullah Ihsas Feb 5, 2014 - 17:35 political entity over the past 12 years in line with Islamic teachings and Afghan values. But some media reports say MAZAR-I-SHARIF (Pajhwok): Civil society activists in the party was established in February 2010. northern on Wednesday warned a shortage In response to the support pledge, Abdullah affirmed his of ballot papers could deprive millions of people of casting team’s commitment to introducing reforms in government their votes in the April elections -- a concern dismissed by affairs and leading the nation to the best of his ability. election officials. He identified peace and stability, good governance, Syed Mohammad Yazdanparast, who represents the civil combating corruption and drugs, eliminating , society organisation Omaid Hamzysti, argued 20 million creating jobs, dignified return of refugees, good relations people had obtained voter cards across the country, but with foreigners and improving the country’s economy only 14 million ballot papers had been printed. were his goals. But Izzatullah Arman, the Balkh Independent Election Abdullah asked Afghan people not to let anyone to play Commission office head, ruled out the possibility of any with their destiny by rigging the election process. ballot papers shortage on the voting day (April 5). His choice for 2nd vice president, Haji Mohammad He said the election commission was fully prepared to hold Mohaqiq, said peace was the primary goal of their team. the presidential and provincial council elections. He said as “We would never call the people our brothers who kill many as 8,700 individuals had so far issued voter cards in innocent Afghans. Instead we would fight against them,” Balkh. he vowed. Link: http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/02/05/shortage- Karzai frequently addresses Afghan Taliban as his ballot-papers-feared brothers -- a term opposed by his political foes. Link: http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/02/06/nia-pledges- support-abdullah

Poll campaign: Daikundi residents await candidates By Hadi Ghafari Feb 6, 2014 - 19:35

NEILI (Pajhwok): Residents of central Daikundi province say they are interested in knowing about programmes of presidential candidates, who they complain are yet to visit them as part of electioneering. Civil society activists and culturists on Thursday said voters had no idea about candidates’ priorities, thus confused as to who they should vote for. NIA pledges support to Abdullah Ahmad Ali Rafie, a cultural activist, told Pajhwok By Khwaja Basir Ahmad Feb 6, 2014 - 19:33 Daikundi people had no access to the media and press. “Candidates should tell people about their goals through posters, meetings and gatherings, so they can use their KABUL (Pajhwok): The Nahzat-i-Islami Afghanistan votes with awareness. (NIA), underlining the imperative of national harmony Awaz Ali, a resident of Neili, the provincial capital, said and reforms, on Thursday voiced its support to a candidates should have opened campaign offices in presidential runner Dr. . Daikundi to apprise people their programmes. The NIA leader Maulvi Mohammad Mukhtar Mofleh told a two-month presidential election campaign was officially gathering in Kabul: “We support Abdullah because his launched on February 2 and it would last 48 hours before team has a national character and will never brook the voting begins on April 5. Daikundi police chief Brig. corruption.” Gen. Juma Guldi Yardam said police were ready to He asked the ex-foreign minister to pave the ground provide security for candidates during the electioneering. He said only three of the 174 polling for other political institutes and civil society groups centers in Daikundi faced security threats. He said the taking active part in government affairs if he won the insecure stations were in Kijran district that borders April 5 elections. Uruzgan province. However, he said police were striving to overcome the threats.

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Ahmad Ali Rafie, a cultural activist, told Pajhwok A statement from Rassoul’s campaign team 51 Wolesi Daikundi people had no access to the media and press. Jirga (lower house) and 22 Meshrano Jirga (Senate) “Candidates should tell people about their goals through members pledged support to the ex-foreign minister. posters, meetings and gatherings, so they can use their Speaking on the occasion, Rassoul said: “I feel privileged votes with awareness. that public representatives from all provinces have reposed Awaz Ali, a resident of Neili, the provincial capital, said their confidence in me. I will stay in the electoral fray as candidates should have opened campaign offices in plays out.” Daikundi to apprise people their programmes. Link: http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/02/07/scores-mps- The two-month presidential election campaign was pledge-support-rassoul officially launched on February 2 and it would last 48 hours before the voting begins on April 5. Daikundi police chief Brig. Gen. Juma Guldi Yardam said police were ready to provide security for candidates during the electioneering. He said only three of the 174 polling centers in Daikundi faced security threats. He said the insecure stations were in Kijran district that borders Uruzgan province. However, he said police were striving to overcome the threats. Two candidates Qayyum Karzai and Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai have opened campaign offices in neighbouring Bamyan province. Security officials in Bamyan say 12 of 188 poling centers are under low security threats. If elected, Sayyaf to crack down on graft, drugs aa/ma By Abasin Zaheer Feb 6, 2014 - 19:11 Link: http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/02/06/poll- campaign-daikundi-residents-await-candidates KABUL (Pajhwok): Pledging to improve security in four months, presidential candidate Abdul Rab Rassoul Sayyaf on Thursday said he would launch a crackdown on corrupt officials and drug traders, if voted to power in the April elections. Sayyaf, a former jihadi commander, was addressing thousands of people in Kabul as part of his election campaigning that began five days ago. “Corruption is a disease that can become cancerous, if not cured,” he said. Sayyaf claimed knowing where corruption occurred and where the corrupt were. “Showing any leniency to corrupt officials is a big national betrayal and I would tackle them with an iron fist,” he announced to applause from the gathering. On drugs, Sayyaf said he would fight against the menace with full force because growing and smuggling narcotics had been fuelling obscenity and immoral Scores of MPs pledge support to Rassoul activities in devoutly Muslim Afghanistan. Referring to By Pajhwok Report Feb 7, 2014 - 17:28 peace and security, the presidential hopeful said both were of paramount importance to the nation. “If there is no KABUL (Pajhwok): A group of lawmakers on Friday met security, we cannot even worship,” he said, adding a presidential candidate Dr. Zalmai Rassoul and assured transparent programme, law implementation and firm him of their support in the April 5 ballot. decisions were needed to achieve peace. “If I become Former Bamyan governor , Rassoul’s president, you will see a visible change in terms of choice for vice-president, was also present during the security within four months.” Sayyaf said he would meeting at Wolesi Jirga Deputy Speaker Mirwais work for peace, but would not spare those involved in Yasini’s residence. killing women and children.

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“I will prove how we can bring about peace,” he said, Most of the people, government officials and presidential endorsing the Loya Jirga’s decision on the Bilateral runners hoped the election process would proceed on Security Agreement with the US, a deal that Karzai has schedule and any attempt at rigging the ballot would be been reluctant to sign. frustrated, he said. He would also encourage investment in mining and Kubiš added presidential runners and the government infrastructure sectors and make Afghanistan should jointly make efforts for conducting the elections in self-sufficient in health and education to obviate the need the best possible. He explained the Afghan government for Afghans going to foreign countries. was leading the process. He would give greater attention to the private sector and About the recent killing of election campaign workers in involve civil society groups in all government affairs. Herat province, he said: “We have already released a state- Sayyaf said he would give women their rights as ment condemning the incident and hope there would be no enshrined in Islam. “Islam gives women the right to recurrence.” inherit, but our society has deprived them of this right.” Two campaigners of presidential runner Abdullah Sayyaf said he would provide women access to Abdullah were gunned down by unidentified motorcyclists education, jobs and political consultations. He also called in Herat last week and a third in Sar-i-Pul province today. on rebels to join their countrymen in electing a new Link: http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/02/08/kubi%C5%A1- government. rules-out-flawless-elections Link: http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/02/06/if-elected- sayyaf-crack-down-graft-drugs Another Abdullah campaigner gunned down By Zabihullah Ihsas Feb 8, 2014 - 15:10

MAZAR-I-SHARIF (Pajhwok): A tribal leader campaigning for presidential candidate Dr. Abdullah Abdullah was gunned down northern Sar-i-Pul province on Saturday morning. On Feb. 1, two members of the frontline presidential runner’s campaign office were killed in western Herat province. The two men were shot to death by unidentified individuals as they came out of their office in the city. Col. Sakhi Dad Haidari, the Sar-i-Pul provincial police chief, told Pajhwok Afghan News Haji Yasin, the tribal elder, was disembarked from a car before being Kubiš rules out flawless elections gunned down in Kohistanat district. By Muhammad Hassan Khitab Feb 8, 2014 - 16:50 Police had launched an investigation into the incident, KABUL (Pajhwok): Calling for an acceptable Haidari said, adding that Dr. Abdullah’s election election process in Afghanistan, the top UN diplomat campaign had not yet started in the province so in the country on Saturday ruled out a flawless far. Therefore, police did know his campaigners. presidential vote, scheduled for April 5. But another tribal elder, Eng. Mohammad Zarif, said But the UN Secretary General’s Special Haji Yasin had already launched an unofficial election Representative Ján Kubiš told a news conference in campaign for Abdullah in Kohistanat. Kabul that the Afghans should not be pessimistic about the presidential provincial elections. Dr. Abdullah’s campaign office in Kabul confirmed Yasin’s death. “We want more efforts to be made for holding fair , but we should not expect Link: http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/02/08/another-abdullah- fraud-free polls because of unstable condition here,” campaigner-gunned-down he argued.

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53 polling stations in Farah lack security By Zahin Feb 8, 2014 - 15:59

FARAH CITY (Pajhwok): Independent Election Commission (IEC) officials on Saturday said 53 of the 227 polling stations in western Farah province faced a high security threat. IEC regional chief, Mirwais Azizi, told Pajhwok Afghan News the polling stations in Bala Baluk, Gulistan, Bakwa, Khaki Safid and Pusht Rod districts could not be opened. Provincial police chief, Brig. Gen. Mohammad Razzaq Yaqubi, confirmed security threats to polling stations but said they would soon launch a clearing operation in the HIA faction denies supporting Abdullah areas to reduce the threat. By Javed Hamim Kakar Feb 9, 2014 - 17:12 A month ago, security organs acknowledged their failure to ensure protection for 414 of the 6,845 polling sites in 11 KABUL (PAN): A breakaway faction of the Hezb-i-Islami provinces, including Farah, Badghis, Ghor, Helmand, Afghanistan (HIA) on Sunday denied supporting Badakhshan, Sar-I-Pul, Parwan, Kapisa, Nuristan, Kunar presidential candidate Dr. Abdullah Abdullah in the April and Laghman. elections, hinting at an early decision on swinging behind Link: http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/02/08/53-polling- a runner. stations-farah-lack-security The announcement by the third HIA splinter group (Muttahid Afghanistan) came at a gathering held under the New US commander supports April polls leadership of Paktia Governor in By Javed Hamim Kakar Feb 8, 2014 - 19:59 Kabul. Photos and names of participants of the gathering have KABUL (Pajhwok): A new US military commander, taking been posted on Facebook wall of a social network in the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) Joint name of Juma Khan Hamdard. Command, on Saturday pledged support for the April 5 The participants include members HIA Mutahid presidential and provincial elections. Afghanistan, civil society organistations, political allies and like-minded individuals. Lt. Gen. Joseph Anderson, who replaced his fellow Hamdard’s spokesman Roohullah Samoon confirmed the American Lt. Gen. Mark Milley, said: "The immediacy is gathering, saying besides the governor, Education supporting the elections and earlier fighting season and Minister Ghulam Farooq Wardak, HIA Muttahid getting through all that.” Afghanistan leader Wahidullah Sabawoon and Mines and Petroleum Minister Mohammad Akbar Barakzai were also Speaking at a command transfer ceremony in Kabul, in attendance. Anderson said that the ongoing impasse over the Bilateral Other prominent participants included Qazi Amin Waqad, Security Agreement between Afghanistan and the US Haji Almas, lawmaker Abdul Sattar Khwasi, presidential afforded him a pause. advisor Tahir Sapi, Iqbal Sapi, presidential advisor Maulvi Chora Baik, Senator Nazar Mohammad, High Peace Milley acknowledged the progress made by Afghan Council member Maulvi Shehzad Shaid and others. security forces over the past decade, recalling the Samoon said it was a consultative gathering to confer on devastating 9-11 attack on American history. how to play a transparent role and support a particular Terrorists trained in Afghanistan killed 3,000 Americans, candidate in the upcoming presidential elections. an assault that prompted the invasion of the country in late However, he said the meeting participants decided they 2001, he added. and their supporters would not back Abdullah in the elec- tions. Anderson, the commander of Fort Bragg and the 18th He said the meeting also decided to call a big gathering of Airborne Corps, joined about 500 of his soldiers. supporters at the Loya Jirg’s tent and make an announcement as to which candidate they would lend Link: http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/02/08/new-us- weight. commander-supports-april-polls Link: http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/02/09/hia-faction- denies-supporting-abdullah

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MoFA ready to help refugees cast votes By Pajhwok Report Feb 10, 2014 - 20:36

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) on Monday said it was ready to assist the election commission in paving the ground for overseas Afghans casting their vote in the April elections. Shakaib Mostaghni, a newly-appointed spokesman for the ministry, told a press conference his ministry would continue contributing to efforts aimed at holding inclusive and fair polls. “The foreign ministry is fully prepared to provide all possible facilities to the election commission to enable to participate in the electoral process.” Karzai wants to sign BSA before polls: Usmani The Independent Election Commission (IEC) has cited By Muhammad Hassan Khitab Feb 9, 2014 - 15:12 inadequate funds to facilitate Afghans living abroad in KABUL (PAN): President Hamid Karzai is interested in casting their votes in the upcoming elections. concluding the Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA) with Nearly six million Afghans live as refugees in 73 the United States before the April 5 elections, his foreign countries, with and Iran hosting most of them. minister said on Sunday. Link: http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/02/10/mofa-ready-help- refugees-cast-votes At a joint news conference with his visiting German counterpart in Kabul, Zarar Ahmad Usmani said the BSA text was complete, needing no amendments. However, he insisted the deal’s signing should pave the ground for durable peace in Afghanistan -- a suggestion shared by the consultative Loya Jirga held in November 2013. “President Karzai, in view of the ground situation in the country, wants to conclude the vital security pact before the presidential and provincial elections,” he added. Ongoing negotiations would come to fruition and the accord would be signed, the minister hoped, reiterating the Afghan government and people were undoubtedly serious about finalising the deal. But the conditions set by Kabul and the Loya Jirga must be met, stressed Usmani. German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier also underlined the need for the early conclusion of the BSA. More women in Paktia likely to vote The visiting dignitary said he had taken up the issue with By Sahil Mangal Feb 10, 2014 - 12:31 Karzai, who had his reservations. GARDEZ (Pajhwok): More women are likely to “I have told President Karzai that the pact isn’t participate in the upcoming presidential and provincial important to the US alone; it’s equally important to council elections in southeastern , realising Germany and other European nations. Absent a BSA, we importance of the ballot, local officials said on Monday. can’t stay in Afghanistan beyond 2014,” Steinmeier

explained. Women’s councils were active in 8 of the 13 districts of He said Germany was clear that the early signing of the the province and thus females in far-flung districts would agreement was essential for their future mission to train be able to vote, Women’s Affairs Director Nasrin and support Afghan security forces after an end to the Oryakhel told Pajhwok Afghan News. She said they had ISAF mandate. The minister also reaffirmed Germany’s arranged a series of workshops for women in different support for the Afghan-led reconciliation process. Link: http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/02/09/karzai-wants- parts of the province to educate them on the importance of sign-bsa-polls-usmani elections.

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In past polls, men voted on behalf of women, but many women had come to understand why they should exercise the voting right themselves, Oryakhel added. A women’s right activist in Gardez, Jamila, urged Paktia women to participate in the elections and not to allow men to use their voting cards. She asked presidential and provincial council candidates to share their plans with women. An official of the electoral body, Sher Ali Faizi, said 45 percent of the 70,000 people who had received voting cards were women. Link: http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/02/10/more-women- paktia-likely-vote

Number of insecure polling sites rises to 420 By Muhammad Hassan Khetab Feb 10, 2014 - 16:46

KABUL (Pajhwok): Of the 6,845 polling stations across the country, security for 420 sites could not be ensured, the Ministry of Interior (MoI) said on Monday in its latest security plan for the April elections. Security organs had announced last month their inability to protect 414 polling stations in 11 provinces due to high security threats there. MoI spokesman Siddiqui Siddique told reporters in Kabul the 420 polling stations facing high security risks were located in 13 provinces and impassable areas. However, Arsala wins NCSA support he added efforts were underway to reduce their number. By Azizullah Hamdard Feb 10, 2014 - 16:52 Currently 700 polling sites were under high security threat, he said, predicting militants could disrupt the KABUL (Pajhwok): The National Commitment to Salvage election process at those sites. Afghanistan (NCSA), an alliance of several political “We are fully prepared to ward off any possible threat. parties, on Monday announced its support for Hidayat We will defeat and suppress any possible aggressive acts,” Amin Arsala in the April presidential vote. Siddiqui said, adding security organs had been able to At a meeting, attended by disqualified presidential protect campaign workers over the past week. candidates, declared Hidayat Amin Arsala a suitable and In order to reduce security threats, he said 56 clean-up qualified contender for the presidency. operations were conducted last week, killing 79 insurgents Salman Ali Dostzada, a member of the alliance, said: “We and detaining 47 others in various areas of the country. have same goals and views regarding the situation in the The official asked presidential candidates to introduce country. And that’s why we have decided to back Arsala.” their senior campaigners to the MoI so their security could The NCSA is a newly formed alliance, trying to combat be ensured. corruption, ensure rule of law, prevent human rights The two-month presidential campaign began on Feb 2 and violations, protect women and minimise chances of fraud in electioneering for provincial council elections is the polls. scheduled to start on March 4. Earlier, the Jirga-e-Fikar aw Amal, led by former interior minister Ali Ahmad Jalali, Sibghatullah Mujaddedi, Pir Gilani, Anwar-ul-Haq Ahadi and Hanif Atmar had Link: http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/02/10/number- announced their support for Ashraf Ghani. insecure-polling-sites-rises-420

Link: http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/02/10/arsala-wins- ncsa-support

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