IEC welcomes SIGAR report on electoral aid spending

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Independent Election Commission (IEC) on Saturday welcomed a Special Inspector General for Afghanistan (SIGAR) report on foreign aid spending during Afghanistan elections.

SIGAR in its recent report said funds provided for technical support during election in Afghanistan had been ineffective. The funds were supposed to be used for a period of five years but they were spent during last elections.

IEC head HawaAlamNuristani told a press conference here the IEC welcomed the SIGAR report as she stressed transparency in the utilization of international aid for elections.

She said funds provided for elections were spent by UNDP and they were responsible for management and administration of financial matters related to elections.

“A portion of these funds had been allocated for international workers who the UNDP had appointed. Some funds were allocated for operational affairs of the elections which was also managed by UNDP and no report on this regard was shared with the IEC,” she said.

She said IEC managed the 2019 elections in more effective manner and it showed an improved capability of election staff.

SIGAR report said the Afghan IEC was not independent and had no coordination with civil society organizations and unable to share information with masses.

Nh/ma