Pajhwok Afghan News (PAN) Weekly Election Coverage Newsletter, Sep 2-9

He acknowledged there had been flaws and drawbacks in the elections but stressed that the results should be accepted in the larger national interest. The presidential election was a step forward in building the nation, which will rid the country of turmoil, he hoped. He urged both the candidates to respect the agreement they had signed and avoid deals behind closed doors that could harm the national interest. He said though the Change and Continuity team, led by Ahmadzai, had more votes, yet it should consider Massoud warns against means to fuel instability suggestions of the Reforms and Unanimity team led By: Pajhwok Reporter ‎,Date: 2014-09-03 by Abdullah. “ has a centralised political system and it is impossible to establish multiple KABUL (Pajhwok): Following governor’s governmental powers,” he said, in reference to the rhetoric to launch a protest movement if the election proposed chief executive post, which Abdullah’s result favoured Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai, Ahmad Zia camp says should have more power and authority. Massoud warned on Wednesday that any step aimed A running mate of Abdullah, Mohammad Mohaqqeq, at destabilising the country would not be acceptable. has said Ashraf Ghani viewed the chief executive post Massoud, a member of the Ahmadzai’s team, warned nothing more than a symbolic position. The Abdullah that the nation would rise up against any tactics camp wants the chief executive to be the head of the employed to weaken the state or the nation. Cabinet. The Reform and Unanimity team’s claims A day earlier, Balkh Governor Atta Muhammad Noor about widespread fraud in favour of Ahmadzai were threatened to launch “Orange and Green Revolutions” baseless, said Massoud, who added the full vote audit if Ahmadzai was declared winner in the final election showed Abduallah’s team had committed more fraud result. than its rival team. Noor, a close aide to presidential candidate Abdullah Abdullah, likely referred to the 2009-10 disputed Vote audit process to be completed tomorrow elections in Iran, where protestors adopted the colour green as their symbol because it had been the KABUL (Pajhwok): The Independent Election campaign colour of presidential candidate Mir Commission (IEC) hinted on Wednesday that the vote Hossein Mousavi. And the Orange Revolution in audit process into the presidential election would be Ukraine followed the disputed second round of the completed tomorrow. IEC Spokesperson Noor Muhammad Ukrainian presidential elections in 2004, leading to Noor told journalists that at least 94% of the ballot boxes had been recounted and audited. He said that 21,343 ballot the annulment of the result and the repeat of the boxes had gone through the recount and audit process round. while only 1,485 were left. At least 240 teams were busy “The Abdullah’s team should not threaten the nation auditing the votes with a great deal of understand among with protests because no one has the right to create the (IEC) staff, the United Nations, national and chaos among the masses,” Massoud said, adding that international observers, he said, adding that it was a Afghans were fed up with the infighting. challenging task to be done. Regarding the objections of He called upon the people of Afghanistan not to allow presidential candidate Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, Noor said anyone to damage the country or reverse the the process was moving forward under established rules achievements made over the past 13 years. “Anyone and regulations and the IEC was ready to address Reforms who incites others to protest or disrupts peace of the and Unanimity team’s complaints. Abdullah’s camp has country will face wrath of the nation,” he said. boycotted the audit process over allegations that their demands and objections had not been addressed. http://www.pajhwok.com Page 1 http://www.elections.pajhwok.com/www.vote.af

Pajhwok Afghan News Election Coverage Newsletter

His representatives did not take part in the final stage of the vote audit process. Ahmadzai also withdrew his representatives from the final audit following UN’s demand. Hence, the final audit has been done by the UN under the observation of national and international observers.

Karzai urges Ghani, Abdullah to reach a deal soon By: Pajhwok Reporter ‎,Date: 2014-09-03

KABUL (Pajhwok): President Hamid Karzai on Wednesday hosted marathon talks between the two men vying to succeed him and urged them to reach a negotiated settlement to end the electoral impasse. A statement from Candidates fined 76m afghanis in total: IECC the Presidential Palace said the outgoing president asked By: Abasin Zaheer ‎,Date: 2014-09-03 both Dr. Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai and Dr. Abdullah Abdullah to reach a deal sooner than later. Karzai’s both KABUL (Pajhwok): The Independent Electoral Complaints deputies attended the meeting, in which Karzai hoped the Commission (IECC) on Wednesday said it had fined two candidates would soon reach an accord to end the political presidential candidates and more than one thousand uncertainty. provincial council runners 76 million afghanis in total for During the meeting, Karzai assured his full support to both violations of rules during the April elections. the candidates on reaching an agreement acceptable to IECC spokesman Nader Mohseni told reporters in Kabul them. that irregularities of the two presidential candidates and The rival campaigns held last-ditch talks on Wednesday to 1061 provincial council contenders had been proven. salvage the US-brokered deal under which the two sides He did not name anyone from the provincial council also agreed to accept the results of a UN-supervised vote candidates, but said the two presidential runners fined were audit. Abdul Rab Rassoul Sayyaf and Mohammad Shafiq Gul Abdullah extended a Tuesday deadline to disengage from Agha Sherzai. Mohseni also did not reveal the amount of the political process to allow international efforts to rescue fine the two candidates have to pay and reasons, saying the first-ever peaceful transfer of power from one elected open hearings in this regard had already taken place. government to another. However, in its open hearings after the April elections, the The moves came after the Abdullah campaign said IECC said had been fined 100,000 afs for it would pull out of the process if its demands were not using abusive language against a rival candidate Zalmai met by Tuesday and a powerful northern ally, Atta Rassoul and the Kabul Municipality had complained that Mohammad Noor, threatened to launch mass protests Sayyaf did not pay taxes on his campaign posters. which he called a "green and orange" movement. Mohseni said the provincial candidates were fined for spending more on electioneering as allowed and failing to The US State Department, in a statement on Tuesday, said submit financial reports in-time. He said each provincial Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs Doug Frantz council candidate was allowed to spend 500,000 afghanis was in Kabul and would hold talks with Afghan leaders. and they were barred from overspending on election campaigns. "He plans to convey the administration's full support for a peaceful and democratic transfer of power and emphasize the priority Secretary Kerry places on an audit process that ensures a legitimate outcome and agreement on the details of a government of national unity," it said.

Under the terms of the deal agreed during a visit by Kerry in July, the runner-up in the presidential election will ap- point a chief executive to share control with the president over some major decisions, such as nominating the heads of the security forces.

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Paktia residents urge next president to bolster peace 82 officials of the Independent Electoral Complaints By: Pajhwok Reporter ‎,Date: 2014-09-03 Commission (IECC) and 152 representatives of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). (Pajhwok): Calling peace and stability among At least 188 Afghan election observers and 201 foreign their top priorities, the residents of southeastern Paktia observers oversaw the process. province on Wednesday demanded the next president should fight corruption and hire professional officials to ensure good governance. They urged the next president to initiate reconstruction projects, promote education and health services in the strategically located . Muhammad Shakoor Kamran, a resident of Gardez, the provincial capital, told Pajhwok Afghan News the upcoming president must take action for solving economic problems of the people. “We hope the prospective president will pay more attention to develop Paktia. The province is facing lack of schools and health services. Moreover, roads are also in dilapidated condition,” he informed. Khatira, a student of 11th grade in Halima Khazan High Farah protesters demand swift election results School, said some women had been serving in different By: Humayoon Zaheen ‎,Date: 2014-09-04 fields for the past 13 years. She hoped the next president would work out a strategy to increase the share of women FARAH CITY (Pajhwok): Activists of the Afghan Millat in different departments. She complained violence, lack of Party (AMP) held a rally in southern on access to education and outdated tribal traditions were Thursday demanding immediate results of the presidential main problems being faced by women. She said: “There election. are hundreds of women in Paktia who lost their husbands Jamaluddin Pacha Khail, AMP provincial president who led and sons in ongoing violence. Now, they have no means to the rally of more than 300 participants said: “We urge the eke out livelihood for their orphan kids.” Independent Election Commission (IEC) to show respect to Haji Mamoor, a tribal elder said, no commendable job had public’s vote and swiftly announce the results without been done during the last 13 years in terms of further delay.” He urged the international community to development. The country’s new leader should pay greater honestly back winner of the presidential election who attention to develop the province. Because of its strategic would steer the country out of crisis. location, factories should be established in the province with building of more dams, he added. Haje Ziarat Gul, a tribal elder of Ahmad Aba district said, the next president should prioritize to launch development projects in larger interests of the local community. “Work on construction of Gardez-Zurmat and Gardez-Khost highways and Machalgho dam should be accelerated,” he stressed.

Vote audit likely to be concluded today: Noor By: Pajhwok Reporter ‎,Date: 2014-09-04

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Independent Election Commission (IEC) hinted on Thursday that the vote audit US hopes candidates would abide by unity accord process into the presidential election would be completed By: Lalit K Jha ‎,Date: 2014-09-04 today (Thursday). IEC Spokesperson Noor Muhammad Noor told journalists here in Kabul of more than 23,000 WASHINGTON (Pajhwok): The United States on ballot boxes, only around 700 were to be counted. “We are Thursday hoped both the Afghan presidential candidates done with 22,123 ballot boxes, which make up 97% of the would abide by the agreement they signed in August on total votes, he added. He said final audit was underway unity government. with some 576 IEC officials,

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State Department Spokesperson Jen Psaki told journalists KABUL (Pajhwok): The Independent Election Commission in Washington the US expected both the candidates wouls (IEC) said on Friday results from the presidential election abide by the August 8th joint declaration that reaffirmed were being complied after the vote recount and auditing had their commitment to a unified Afghanistan. “We believe finished and would be announced soon. Talking to the electoral process can be completed soon, obviously, a journalists here, IEC spokesman Noor Muhammad Noor discussion about our shared commitment to Afghanistan said the final results from the June runoff presidential will certainly be a part of what takes place at NATO when election would be made public soon, but gave no exact date. the President is there tomorrow,” she said referring to the He said the future government should be formed solely on ongoing North Atlantic Treaty Organisaion NATO’s the basis of the results. Noor said any political Wales Summit in the Wales. repercussions after the results’ announcement would have Meanwhile, the US Defense Secretary, Chuck Hagel has nothing to do with the commission. The audit process said the United States, and its NATO partners were doing began on July 17 and concluded on September 5, during everything to facilitate that peaceful transition. which over 23, 000 ballot boxes were recounted under “Afghanistan is struggling through this transition of power supervision of national, international observers, to new government. We, the United States, and our ISAF- representatives of both the candidates and UN officials. NATO partners are doing everything we can to facilitate Noor acknowledged the audit process had been a colossal that peaceful transition. But in the end, it's up to the task and a greater responsibility. “The IEC has utilised all presidential candidates to come together and the people of its resources to ensure a 100 percent recount and audit in a Afghanistan to make all of this work,” Hagel said before bid to gain confidence of both the campaigns,” he added. heading for Europe to attend the NATO Summit. He stressed the results should be acceptable to the nation “We are still on track to follow through with the because it had been prepared in a transparent way in President's decisions as we transition out of a combat role presence of national, international and UN observers. and bring our forces down. That retrograde is on track. Certainly at NATO, with the next two days, this is will be very specific agenda item,” he said in response to a ques- tion. “We all had hoped that by the NATO summit, we would have a new Afghan president inaugurated. We would have a status of forces agreement for the ISAF NATO partners. We would have a bilateral security agreement signed with us. That's not happened. So, it complicates the situation,” he said. At the same time he insisted that the US and its NATO partners were on track to transition. “We'll see. But we can help. We can facilitate. We can support. We can do everything we're doing. But in the end, the Afghan people have to resolve this difference in those two candidates, and Rivals resolve all but chief executive issue I know President Karzai is helping do that as well,” Hagel By: Muhammad Hassan Khetab ‎,Date: 2014-09-05 said. KABUL (Pajhwok): The joint committee of the presidential campaigns on Friday said they had sorted out all their differences, but left the thorny issue of what powers the chief executive should have for the two candidates to decide. The committee said a joint consensus statement would be released soon. Both candidates Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai’s and Abdullah Abdullah’s camps have formed the joint committee to resolve differences and reach a mutual understanding on the formation of a national unity government. Tahir Zohair, a member of Ahmadzai’s campaign, told Pajhwok Afghan News that the eight-member committee had concluded the task it was Election results being compiled: Noor assigned. However, the crucial issue of the chief By: Muhammad Hassan Khetab ‎,Date: 2014-09-05 executive’s powers and authority was left for the

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candidates to resolve. “The point of contention was in the election audit process, as well as the security whether the chief executive would be the head of the situation in Afghanistan, the Pentagon said. Cabinet or not,” he said, adding the Constitution had no During the meetings on the sidelines of the NATO Summit mention of such a post. Muhammad Natiqui, a member of in Wales, Hagel praised the work of Afghan security forces Abdullah’s team, substantiated his rival’s views by for their efforts in providing security for both elections, and expressing optimism that the matter would be resolved noted their efforts to remain separate from the political amicably. process, the Pentagon Press Secretary, Rear Admiral John Ahmadzai and Abdullah had agreed to form a government Kirby, said. He also congratulated Minister Mohammadi for of national unity and grant the chief executive post to the the gains Afghan and ISAF forces have made against the losing candidate. this year and stressed US commitment to the Resolute Support and follow-on counter-terrorism missions next year, pending a Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA),” Kirby said. Mohammadi reassured Hagel that both presidential candidates continue to support a BSA. He indicated solid progress toward the completion of the election audit and spoke positively of the continued negotiations between the two candidates toward forming a unity government,” said the Pentagon Press Secretary.

No reasons to further delay election results By: Pajhwok Reporter ‎,Date: 2014-09-05 KABUL (Pajhwok): A number of political groups called upon the Independent Election Commission (IEC) on Friday to announce the election results without any further delay. Member and supporters of Afghan Millat Party (AMP), National Front Party (NFP) and supporters of front runner Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai participated in the congregation German FM in Kabul for talks on poll crisis held in Kabul. Anwar-ul-Haq Ahadi, chief of AMP, told By: Pajhwok Reporter ‎,Date: 2014-09-06 the meeting that there were no reasons to further delay the KABUL (Pajhwok): German Foreign Minister Frank- announcement of results since the audit process had been Walter Steinmeier arrived in Kabul on Saturday to discuss completed. Calling upon both presidential candidates with Afghan leaders the months-long electoral impasse and Ahmadzai and Abdullah Abdullah to accept the outcome, reassure Afghanistan of his country continuous future Ahadi stressed that any move aimed at destabilizing the support. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said country would not be tolerated. Sher Wali Wardag, Steinmeier visited German troops stationed in northern member of the parliament, said that baseless allegations soon after his arrival. The foreign minister hatched by Abdullah’s camp damaged the entire electoral is scheduled to hold talks with President Hamid Karzai, process. No one, he reiterated had the right to clinch the presidential candidates Dr. Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai, Dr. power with the use of force. Sayyed Hamid Gillani, Abdullah Abdullah and the UN envoy in Afghanistan on president of NFP, said that both candidates should the ongoing electoral crisis, a German radio reported. demonstrate maturity and abide by their commitment to He will be meeting with his Afghan counterpart Zarar form a national unity government. Ahmad Usmani, the Afghan foreign ministry said in a statement. Hagel, Bismillah discusses election audit process The German official would is expected stress In his talks By: Javed Hamim Kakar ‎,Date: 2014-09-05 with the presidential candidates the formation of a national WASHINGTON (Pajhwok): The US Defense Secretary, unity government. Steinmeier promised Germany would Chuck Hagel, met his Afghan counterpart, Bismillah Khan provide all assistance to the next Afghan government. Mohammadi to discuss progress

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Abdullah Abdullah and Ashraf Ghani wrote a co-signed letter to the NATO summit in Wales, renewing their pledge to work together to resolve their differences. Speaking to a group of women at the Presidential Palace, the outgoing president said he had asked the men vying to succeed him to implement the agreement they had signed on the unity government because the current situation of the country was more complex than their accord. Karzai hoped Afghanistan would emerge from the troublesome situation and the next president would be announced soon to form his government. “We respect the friendship between the two candidates and Call for early end to electoral deadlock want their friendship to go on and they form a unity By: Muhammad Hassan Khetab ‎,Date: 2014-09-06 government, but it should be done quickly,” he said. The president said he had told Abdullah Abdullah and Ashraf KABUL (Pajhwok): The Rights and Justice Party on Ghani Ahmadzai that if they agreed to form the unity Saturday demanded the presidential contenders to respect government, he was ready to hold the new president’s the constitution and accept final results of June 14 runoff inauguration ceremony three days after the announcement election. of the election results. Karzai said he would continue to Hamidullah Farooqi, the party spokesman, told reporters cooperate with the new government, which he hoped would delay in election results was negatively impacting the keep on track the development process. He said entire nation. The Rights and Justice Party was against the Afghanistan did not need political opposition because inordinate delay of election process and called for end to Afghans needed friendship, cooperation and coordination the electoral impasse, he added. He said the reservations of with each other. both candidates regarding fraud in the runoff election were addressed in the audit process and there was nothing left for allegations. Farooqi stressed upon the resolution all issues within the constitutional framework. He demanded President Hamid Karzai, the Independent Election Commission (IEC) and both candidates to respects constitution and votes of the people in larger national interests.

Consensus imperative before results: Sayyaf By: Pajhwok Reporter ‎,Date: 2014-09-06 KABUL (Pajhwok): Chief of Dawat-e-Islami (DI) party Abdul Rab Rassoul Sayyaf warned on Saturday that President hails candidates’ pledge to resolve dispute announcement of election results prior to developing By: Ahmad Qureshi ‎,Date: 2014-09-06 consensus between the two candidates could lead to chaos. In a statement issued by Jamaluddin Badr, Sayyaf’s KABUL (Pajhwok): President Hamid Karzai on Saturday spokesman said that the party chief had vowed to work for welcomed a recent decision by the two presidential greater unity and peace in the country. Sayyaf underlined candidates to work together to resolve issues concerning enhanced understanding and close cooperation between the the presidential elections and the formation of a unity two presidential candidates, fearing a solo flight would be government. near impossible for one candidate.

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province. Arsalai is the brother of former and late Jihadi leaders Haji Abdul Qadir and Haji Abdul Haq. Haji Abdul Qadir was gunned down in 2002 by unidentified gunmen. He was the governor of during President Hamid Karzai interim government. Arsalai was presidential nominee in the 2009 presidential election, but he later withdrew in favour of Abdullah. At that time, Haji was canvassing for President Hamid Karzai. Haji Din Mohammad served as governor Nangarhar from 2002 to 2004. He also discharged his duties as governor of from 2005 to 2009. Haji Din Mohammad, Germany offers help to resolve election standoff Haji Abdul Haq and Haji Abdul Qadir had played greater By: Mohammad Asif Ahmadzai ‎,Date: 2014-09-06 role during Jihad against former Soviet Union. Din KABUL (Pajhwok): Visiting German Foreign Minister Mohammad fought against Soviets under the leadership of Frank Walter Steinmeir has offered his country’s support Maulvi Khalis, leader of Hizb-i-Islami branch. to resolve the protracted political impasse in Afghanistan, He also served as National Directorate of Security (NDS) the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said on Saturday. chief and minister of education during Mujahidin rule. A MoFA statement said the purpose of Steinmeir’s visit to Abdul Haq along with his nephew, son of Haji Din Kabul was to reassure Germany’s cooperation with Mohammad, were hanged by Taliban in central Logar Afghanistan in ensuring a peaceful transfer of power. province back in 2001 when US lunched airstrikes against The visiting dignitary held in detail discussions with Taliban in Afghanistan. Haji Din Mohammad said his President Hamid Karzai at the Presidential Palace and both family had great contribution in country’s politics for years leaders conferred on matters of mutual interest. and rendered great scarifies for the country. At the meeting, Karzai hoped the two presidential He told Pajhwok Afghan News: “Our family has religious candidates would be able to overcome their differences and Jihadi background. We are serving our people we have over the formation of a national unity government. fought and will be fighting for our country.” Steinmeir also met his Afghan counterpart Zarar Ahmad He claimed a large number of people supported his family

Usmani, who thanked Germany for its generous support because of their role in country’s politics. towards the people of Afghanistan. The Afghans would When asked about the visible split in his family in line with remember for years the longstanding friendly ties between politics, Din Mohammad Said he had an extended family Kabul and Berlin, Usmani told his interlocutor. and everyone reserved the right to take part in politics. The German minister reiterated that stability and progress Pajhwok Afghan News tried to know the view point of his in Afghanistan was of immense importance for the people brother, Nasrullah Bariali Arsalai, but he refused to talk on of Germany. “I am happy to be here at this crucial moment the subject. Political analysts believe Arsalai family has and be able to play a role in resolving the election crisis,” influence among people, but their political differences were the statement quoted him as saying. It said the German serving their financial interests. Mohammad Anwar Sultani, minister reiterated his country’s commitment to a a political analyst, said that former political parties and post-2014 mission to train and assist Afghan security families had divided in two or more parts solely for their forces. survival and economic benefits. He claimed the Dr. Abdullah had close relations with Bariali Arsalai and Election rivalries develop rift within families former visited the latter’s hometown in Hisarak district Mahbubullah Mahboob ‎,Date: 2014-09-06 back during 2009 election campaign.

KABUL (Pajhwok): The 2014 presidential election cam- Obama urges Afghan candidates to finalise deal paign led to rift among families as relatives were observed By: Ahmad Qureshi ‎,Date: 2014-09-07 supporting different candidates in the race. Nasrullah Baryalai Arsalai and Haji Din Mohammad are two KABUL/WASHINGTON (Pajhwok): US president Barack brothers but the former supported presidential contender Obama has urged Afghanistan's two presidential candidates Dr. Abdullah Abdullah but the latter Dr. Ashraf Ghani to finalise negotiations on forming a national unity Ahmadzai. Son of Amanullah Jabbarkhel, Nasrullah government as soon as possible. Baryalai Arsalai was born in 1958 in eastern Nangarhar

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Representatives of both the election campaigns confirmed KABUL (Pajhwok): Some Meshrano Jirga or upper house Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah spoke with Obama members on Sunday asked the two presidential candidates this evening. The conversations rise hopes the two to find a negotiated end to their dispute as the prolonged candidates would intensify efforts at concluding a electoral crisis had paralyzed the country. power-sharing formula to end the months-long political The first round of the presidential election on April 5 did stalemate. not produce a clear winner, triggering a runoff between the Muhammad Tahir Zohair, who represents the Ghani’s two leading contenders on June 14. camp, said the US president had urged the frontrunners to However, the runoff round was marred by fraud allegations abide by the deal brokered by US Secretary of State John after the preliminary results put Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai in Kerry. Obama reiterated his country’s support to help the lead. His rival Abdullah Abdullah boycotted the vote Kabul resolve the political crisis in accordance with the count process and refused to accept the results. Afghanistan’s Constitution, he added. Zohair said the Later the two candidates agreed to a full audit of the votes Abdullah’s camp wanted the would-be chief executive to and to the formation of a national unity government in a be the head of the Cabinet as well, something he called deal brokered by US Secretary of State John Kerry. against the Constitution. A meeting between the The votes recount and auditing had finished but the final candidates is scheduled for tomorrow, he added. Under the results are yet to be announced because the two campaigns Kerry-brokered deal, the two candidates have agreed to have not yet agreed on a power-sharing formula. create the chief executive post for the losing candidate. The Abdullah’s camp has threatened to withdraw from the Syed Agha Hussain, a representative of the Abdullah’s talks on the unity government if its demands are not met. camp, meanwhile, claimed the US president supported a Hidayatullah Rehaee, a lawmaker from central Bamyan unity government that represented both the electoral province, told the session that the top two vote-winners camps. He said Obama also offered sending John Kerry to belonged to two rival groups, who would never agree to the Kabul to resolve the latest impasse. formation of a government acceptable to all. “The electoral He added Abdullah’s team had delayed announcing its process has prolonged too much, badly affecting people’s final decision on the situation for one day after economy. I think the only solution lies in the creation of an consultations with the international community. interim government,” the lawmaker said. But Senate In Washington, National Security Council spokeswoman chairman Fazl Hadi Muslimyar said that interim Caitlin Hayden said Obama spoke separately on Friday government should not be installed under any with Ashraf Ghani and Abddullah Abdullah and circumstances because such a set-up was not in the welcomed their commitment to form a national unity country’s interest. “Nations go forward, why should we go government and to accept the outcome of the audit. back to the time 13 years ago?,” Muslimyar said in a "The president also thanked Drs Ghani and Abdullah for reference to the year 2001 when President Karzai was their continued leadership in working through the details chosen as the then interim government head. of forming a national unity government and urged them to “The presidential candidates should end their dispute for the finalise a deal as soon as possible," Hayden said. sake of this long oppressed nation,” he demanded. Muslimyar hoped the two campaigns, who held talks daily, would reach a positive outcome soon. A member from central Panjsher province, Lailuma Ahadi, said the prolonged electoral crisis had resulted into an unprecedented economic decline. She urged the two candidates to form a national unity government in the larger interest of the country. Without naming anyone, the lawmaker alleged some election officials were making efforts at prolonging the electoral process.

Some technical issues remain, Kubis tells Karzai By: Pajhwok Reporter ‎,Date: 2014-09-08 KABUL (Pajhwok): The UN's top diplomat in Afghanistan on Sunday said some technical issues concerning the June presidential runoff were being addressed to complete the Senate asks candidates to end political deadlock electoral process. By: Abasin Zaheer ‎,Date: 2014-09-07

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Jan Kubis, the UN secretary-general’s special Abdullah. Abdullah’s team spokesman, Mujib Rahman representative for Afghanistan and the UN Assistance Rahimi, on his Facebook page wrote that the leadership Mission (UNAMA) head, called on President Hamid council of the Abdullah camp had decided to pull out of the Karzai at the Presidential Palace. A statement from the talks with Ashraf Ghani’s team on the formation of a palace said US Ambassador James B. Cunningham was national unity government and announce their own also present on the occasion and both updated Karzai on government. the progress made so far in the deadlocked electoral He wrote their camp would make a final decision before the process. election results were announced. Meanwhile, Ashraf The meeting follows the completion of a 50-day audit of Ghani’s team spokesman, Tahir Zohair, confirmed the talks the votes cast during the June 14 runoff . However, final had been suspended between the two sides. However, he results could not be announced due to differences between hoped the negotiations would resume soon. the two rivals over the chief executive position. The two candidates are scheduled to meet again tomorrow (Monday) to sort out differences.

Poll impasse leads to economic slowdown By: Khwaja Basir Fitri ‎,Date: 2014-09-08 Crisis deepens as unity govt talks collapse KABUL (Pajhwok): The Afghanistan Industrial By: Muhammad Hassan Khetab ‎,Date: 2014-09-08 Association (AIA) on Monday asked presidential candidates to resolve their differences because the impasse KABUL (Pajhwok): The protracted election crisis further had led to economic recession. AIA Director Sakhi Ahmad deepened on Sunday when negotiations on the formation Paiman told a news conference a 38 percent decrease had of a unity government collapsed, confirmed the two been witnessed in domestic products. In addition, around 32 campaigns. percent industrial workers lost their jobs during the past six A senior member of the presidential candidate Dr months. Abdullah Abdullah campaign claimed they had won the He said currently 1,320 factories in 18 sectors were elections and would soon announce their government. functioning in the country, offering jobs to 350,000 people. The latest development comes after the election But he warned 13 percent more workers would lose their commission announced it had finished the vote audit jobs if the deadlock persisted. Paiman asked Ashraf Ghani process. However, final results from the June runoff Ahmadzai and Abdullah Abdullah to end their differences elections are yet to be announced due to differences as the situation had inflicted unprecedented damage on the between the candidates. A member of Abdullah’s camp, industrial sector. He added that Afghanistan was currently a Sardar Rahman Oghli, told a news conference in Kabul consumer country with more than $10 billion imports that talks on the national unity government had collapsed. annually. Afghanistan would always face economic crisis if He added the differences on the national unity government investment was not made in the industrial sector. would yield no result. He said the Reform and Unanimity AIA deputy head, Abdul Jabbar Safi, said the association’s team, led by Abdullah, wanted its due share in the power members had also met the presidential candidates to but the rival team wanted all the powers in its control. convince them into resolving the deadlock. “We have previously said that we would never accept a He said fighting poverty was one of the election slogans of fraudulent government, and now once again we reiterate both candidates but the current political situation had that fraud would not be accepted,” he said. Oghli said they caused more than a 40 percent increase in poverty. did not accept a government based on fraud and would standby the people to establish their own government headed by

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