Clean polls impossible in NATO presence: HIA

ISLAMABAD (PAN Afghanistan (HIA) said it is impossible to conduct transparent elections due to the presence of foreign troops in the country.

In an exclusive interview with Pajhwok Afghan News, Ghairat Baheer, the political affairs head of HIA, led-by Gul Buddin Hikmatyar, said election should be conducted after the withdrawal of NATO troops because transparent polls were impossible if they were still in the country.

The Independent Election Commission head, Fazal Ahmad Manavi, had invited the Taliban and HIA to renounce insurgency and contest in the 2014 elections.

Last Wednesday, the IEC announced that the next presidential and provincial council elections would be held on 5th April, 2014.

On Manawi’s remarks, he said it was premature to respond to IEC’s invitation, but they would issue their official decision after consulting party members, he said.

myn/vp