Meddling in campaign intolerable: Wahdat

BAMYAN CITY (Pajhwok): The governor on Tuesday said government officials would not be allowed to campaign for election candidates in central Bamyan province.

Ghulam Ali Wahdat told a meeting of government officials at the Governor’s House that Bamyan residents believed in democracy and they would not allow anyone to work for or against any candidate.

He asked government officials, who attended the meeting, to stay neutral during the election campaign. “If a government servant is proved having campaigned, he/she would stand trial,” the governor warned.

Only Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai has opened a campaign office in Bamyan City. Other candidates are expected to swing their campaigners into action in Bamyan once the harsh cold spell recedes.

Bamyan police chief Brig Gen Khudayar Qudsi, who attended the meeting, said police and Afghan National Army (ANA) were ready to deal with any threat from insurgents.

Qudsi told Pajhwok Afghan News close liaison between people and police was crucial to maintaining security and transparency in the election.

Security officials say only eight of the 188 polling stations in Bamyan are under medium security threat, which could be overcome with cooperation from local influential individuals.

mds/ma