Ghani toughens curbs on official meddling in polls

KABUL (Pajhwok): President Ashraf Ghani on Wednesday issued a decree barring government officials and workers from meddling in the next presidential election, saying anyone who violated the decree would face justice.

A copy of the decree obtained by Pajhwok Afghan News says all government workers should observe the following notes for transparency and impartiality in the 2019 presidential election:

1. Provide adequate and timely cooperation relevant to them to election commissions when requested.
2. Observe impartiality during the performance of job relevant to election process.
3. Avoid activities that can influence voters’ decision or encourage them to vote for a specific candidate or any action that can disrupt the freedom of a voter.
4. Avoid providing any government facilities or resources in favor to any candidates unless they are provided equally and based on law.
5. Avoid introducing people to election commissions for their employment as permanent or temporary election workers.
6. Avoid using your authority in support of or against any candidates.
7. Avoid accepting orders from election workers that violate the law or giving them gifts.
8. Avoid entering voter’s registration centers, polling sites and votes counting areas with weapons or armed bodyguards.
9. Avoid inviting presidential candidates to inauguration of projects or any parties.
10. Keep information secret they obtain during their job in the election process or from Independent Election Commission (IEC) and avoid publishing them or giving them to a specific candidate.

The second article of the decree says any government official or worker if violated the law would be taken to task.

The third article of the decree says departments and ministries of the government are responsible to prepare non-interference guidelines and share them with the National Security Council.

Article four of the decree says the decree is implementable from the date it was released and relevant organs are responsible for its implementation.

mds/ma