New election commission to manage future polls: CEO

KABUL (Pajhwok): Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr. Abdullah Abdullah on Thursday said next year’s parliamentary and district council elections would be managed by a new election commission and stressed that mistakes in previous elections would not repeated.

Fresh from a three-day visit to Iran, Abdulah told a press conference in Kabul that his visit was productive and full of achievements.

He said he had discussed with Iranian officials the provision of legal status and education facilities to Afghan refugees living in Iran and efforts at improving relations between the two countries.

“Iran stressed it supports the peace process and stability in Afghanistan and ready to help advance the peace talks,” the CEO said.

About facilities for Afghan traders at Iran’s Chabahar port, Abdullah said the port had special importance for Afghan traders and Iran had already provided several facilities to Afghan traders on the port to use it as a transit and commerce route.

Abdullah said a meeting between Afghanistan, Iran and India about improving transit trade through Chabahar port was considered in near future.

About terrorist activities in Afghanistan, the CEO said: “We consider terrorists working under any name as the enemy of humankind and our people have suffered a lot from their cruel actions.”

“Those who think they can achieve privileges by increasing violence and killing civilians are mistaken and they will achieve nothing. We are trying to establish peace and we believe no one can impose their demands by violence and war on people,” Abdullah said.

Continuing his speech, Abdullah said future election process would be managed by a new election commission. “Electoral reform is a need and Afghans want it to avoid past mistakes,” he said.

mds/ma