No one allowed to hijack electoral process: Barmak

MAZAR-I-SHARIF (Pajhwok): Interior Minister Wais Ahmad Barmak on Tuesday said a small group of individuals could not hijack the wish of the nation and directed security forces to use even force as the last resort to reopen election offices closed by protestors.

Speaking to reporters in Mazar-i-Sharif, the capital of northern Balkh province, Barmak said he arrived in the province to assess the security situation in the northern zone and to issue special directives to security forces.

To a question about the closure of Independent Election Commission offices in several provinces by supporters of the Grand Alliance, the interior minister said no one would be allowed to disrupt the electoral process through illegal acts.

“A civil movement is clearly explained in the law, in the name of protest, you can not close down government offices and the gates of election office.”

Barmak said even force would be used as the last resort to clear IEC offices from protestors to allow officials and visitors.

“A small group can not deprive people of their legal rights, if someone has any objection regarding the electoral process, there are legal ways one should adopt,” he said.

The interior minister also said the number of special force units had been doubled from the previous three units to six.

Barmak said today (Tuesday) 180 special unit police personnel graduated from the training centre in Balkh and they would perform duty in Balkh, Nangarhar and Herat provinces.

About recent insecurity in Balkh, the minister said the security forces in the province had been issued necessary directives. He said the strength of security personnel in Mazar-i-Sharif would be increased to meet the people’s demand.

Barmak also informed about the launch of military operations in districts where the Taliban recently made strides.

ma/pk

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