Filing complaints deadline expires at 7:00pm

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Independent Electoral Complaint Commission (IECC) on Sunday announced 7:00pm as deadline for filing complaints in connection of preliminary results from April 5 election but so far none of the contenders filed any complaint.

The Independent Election Commission (IEC) late on Saturday announced preliminary results from the April 5 presidential election with Dr. Abdullah Abdullah securing 44.9 percent followed by Dr. Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai with 31.5 percent votes. 

It merits mention that the election results were announced in three rounds, but none of the presidential aspirants secured 50+1 vote to win the ballot.

However, addressing a press conference, Nadir Muhsini, secretary and spokesperson of the IECC, ruled out to face any problem if the polls went to the second round.

He reiterated arrangements had been made to tackle diligently all complaints during the second round presidential elections.

Answering volley of questions, he said it would be premature to say whether any candidate would emerge as winner after addressing complaints.

Based on the constitution, the IECC should address the complaints within 24-hour.

Muhsini said all the complaints from the provinces and the center would be addressed in the presence of all stakeholders.

The IEC would look into any complaints in Kabul if complainants were of the opinion that complaints were not properly addressed in the provinces.

The IEC is not under pressure from any quarters, he said, acknowledging in some provinces IECC officials had some concerns but that would impact the process.

ra/rm