Kunduz elders urge end to deadlock

KUNDUZ CITY (Pajhwok): Tribal elders in northern Kunduz province on Sunday expressed their deep concerns over the persisting electoral deadlock.

Addressing a gathering in Kunduz City, Abdul Ghaffar Malakzada said unemployment and hunger continued to haunt people, but their leaders remained engaged in a ruthless power struggle.  

He expressed anger over the prolonged delay in announcing results from the presidential runoff of June 14. He asked the Independent election Commission (IEC) to ensure the results were released soon.

Another speaker Mohammadullah said: “We urge both candidates, President Hamid Karzai and the United Nations to swiftly end the impasse because people are fed up with the ongoing crisis.”

The elders expressed their concerns at a time when the vote auditing and recount has finished, but some technical issues remain. The IEC has said it is ready to announce the results this week, but gave no exact date.

nh/ma /mud