Canvassing before time violation of law: IECC

KABUL): Campaigning before the release of a final list of presidential and provincial council candidates is a violation of the election law, the electoral watchdog said on Friday.

Following the display of the final list in a fortnight, Presidential runners will be allowed to canvass in the 60 days from February 2 and provincial council candidates for 30 days from March 4.

The Independent Election Commission (IEC) warned that canvassing before that period being a violation of the relevant law would be investigated. It asked candidate and media organisations to act in accordance with the law.

Since the release of the preliminary list on Tuesday, some wannabes have been highlighting their campaign plans and priorities through the media — something that experts call a campaign ahead of the permissible period.

Political analyst Younus Fakoor told Pajhwok Afghan News that poll contenders had literally been on the campaign trail by announcing their programmes through the media. It was a clear breach of the constitution and the election law, he insisted.
Fakoor accused the IEC and the Independent Electoral Complaints Commission of failing to prevent the illegal practice, asking the panels to issue a stern warning to violators.

IECC spokesman Nader Mohseni said no one was formally recognised as candidate before the display of the final list. He acknowledged launching the election campaign before the prescribed time was a violation.

Runners on the initial list are reportedly using Facebook and Twitter to run their campaigns and propagate their programmes.

mud