Abdullah wants presidential election date specified

KABUL) to specify a date for next year’s presidential elections.

Speaking at the 21st Joint Coordination and Monitoring Board (JCMB) meeting, Abdullah said specification of the date for the presidential election would not only clear doubts about the government’s will but would also bind the government to fulfill its responsibilities.

He stressed transparency in elections and added: “The importance of the electoral process is high when people’s right to vote is respected, so that we can go one step further.”

“People expect the government and the IEC to provide them necessary facilities without interference,” the CEO said.

About anti-corruption efforts, Abdullah said fighting corruption, ensuring good governance, law enforcement, empowering women, improving the economy and stabilizing the finance system as well as promoting the private sector were the national unity government’s priorities.

Calling corruption the main reason of ongoing insecurity and instability in the country, he said administration corruption not only damaged the government’s credibility, but also limited the regime’s ability to reach self-sustainability and development.

“We are committed to fighting corruption, but we need decisive steps to overcome it, for this purpose, we have prepared the national anti-corruption strategy so all people take part in its implementation,” Abdullah added.

He thanked the international community for its support to Afghanistan and said that the international community’s aid ought to be used effectively than ever before as such assistance would not be available forever.

“Work on the executive body for the private sector promotion, mechanism, national strategy on exports and finalization of the national priority program of the private sector is underway and I personally manage their meetings,” the CEO said.

Abdullah said the Geneva conference was a good opportunity for strengthening regional cooperation.

mds/ma