IECC preparing final list of candidates

KABUL): The Independent Electoral Complaints Commission (IECC) on Monday said its investigations into objections would be completed later in the day and the final list of candidates submitted to the election commission tomorrow (Tuesday).

Reda Azimi, the IECC deputy chief, told Pajhwok Afghan News nearly all complaints had been investigated and they were preparing the final list of candidates. She said the watchdog had received more than 900 complaints from the across the country.

Investigations into the complaints were originally scheduled to be completed on Friday and the final list announced on Saturday (Nov. 16), but the process had to be set back for two days credibility and transparency sake.

Azimi said it would be premature to say something about changes in the final list of contenders, as it would become clear later in the day how many remained in the race.

As many as 3,082 contenders had filed nomination papers for the 2014 presidential and provincial council elections, with 368 disqualified by the Independent Election Commission (IEC).

Ten of 26 presidential runners and 2,704 provincial council candidates were on the preliminary list announced on October 22. The elections are due to take place on April 5, 2014.

Announcing the initial list, the IEC said it had been impartial and fair throughout the process and if someone had any complaints, they could move the IECC.

ma/mud