Computerised ID cards to ensure poll transparency: Ghani

KABUL (Pajhwok): President Ashraf Ghani says the distribution of electronic identity cards will help ensure transparent elections and facilitate the Afghans living abroad to exercise their right to vote.

Ghani expressed the view during a meeting with Afghan community members living in Australia. On behalf of the Afghans, Bashir Keshtyar and Shaukat Zamani hailed the presidential trip as beneficial for Afghanistan.

A statement from Presidential Palace on Wednesday quoted them as saying it was the first time that an Afghan president was touring Australia and talking about economic cooperation and development.

Ghni’s plans and programmes for self-reliance would steer Afghanistan to economic independence and prosperity, they hoped, commending the government’s initiative.

Afghan representatives in New Zealand demanded the creation of a diplomatic mission, saying more than 10,000 Afghans living there faced several issues.

The president said Afghanistan-Australia relations were switching from security to economic and development cooperation. He told the Afghan community scores of Afghans were busy studying in Australian universities.

Ghani said due to years of drought and conflict, Afghanistan’s agriculture and livestock had been harmed. But the past four years attention, he added, due attention had been paid to sector that had seen considerable recovery.

The president said his government had put in place short, medium and long-term development policies. He added Afghanistan desired good relations with neighbouring countries because its future of was linked to regional stability.

Nh/mud