Protesting WJ candidates threaten self-immolation

KABUL candidates from 12 constituencies on Thursday called for creation of a special court to address election related cases, saying they did not let police remove their tent last night.

Dozens of the protesting candidates have erected a tent in Charahi Zanbaq Square leading to the Presidential Palace. They warned to go on hunger strike and commit self immolation if their legitimate demands are not accepted.

These candidates belong to Helmand, Kandahar, Nangarhar, Maidan Wardak, Paktika, Logar, Baghlan, Takhar, Badakhshan, Samangan and Herat provinces.

Arzo Safi, a protesting Wolesi Jirga candidate from Kandahar province, said no government organs had some far come forward to address their demands.

She said police at 12am last night tried to remove their tent but the protesting candidates resisted and stopped police from doing so.

She said they had referred to many relevant organs but none provided them a positive response. “The Attorney General Office also says the final Wolesi Jirga election results of all provinces have been announced and they cannot create a special court for addressing election related cases now, she said.

“If our demands are not addressed, we will go on hunger strike and commit self immolation,” she threatened.

Dewa Niazi, another protesting candidate from Nangarhar province, said they had lodged complaints with all relevant organs. She also warned to torch themselves in front of the Presidential Palace if their protest was ignored.

She also said a special court should be created for separating fraudulent votes from genuine votes. Niazi said they would not leave the tent until their demands were addressed.

Wolesi Jirga elections were held on October 20 and 21 in 2018 in all provinces, barring Kandahar and Ghazni provinces. The polls were conducted in Kandahar a week later but the election in Ghazni is expected to be held together with presidential election in 2019.

The Independent Election Commission (IEC) has announced final results of the Wolesi Jirga elections of all provinces. The results from Kabul as the last province were announced on Tuesday.

The new lawmakers from Paktia and Kabul were sworn in at the Presidential Palace on Wednesday.

mds/ma