Ex-election workers not to be hired: Hotaki

KABUL) officials on Sunday said thousands of ex-employees accused of fraud in the previous polls would not be appointed for the 2014 ballot to ensure transparency.

IEC deputy head, Abdur Rahman Hotaki promised all possible measures for holding transparent presidential and provincial elections in April. Addressing a gathering “Vote for Peace”, he said ballots would be monitored and counted by independent observers.

He said 11,000 IEC employees who were involved in fraud in the previous elections would not be hired for next year’s vote. “We have almost completed two phases — providing technical facilities to workers and a training programme for them.”

Monitoring the election process was an important exercise, involving civil society groups and political parties, he said, recalling that 300,000 individuals had been issued with observer cards for the previous elections but less than 50,000 of them had accepted the job.

The IEC seriously wanted political parties, civil society organisations and international monitors to take part in the process, he said, adding the panel would sign an agreement with interested parties on observing the elections.

IEC officials, peace council members, former governors and representatives of civil society organisations participated in the gathering, arranged by The meeting which was held by Makhtag.

High Peace Council (HPC) Secretary Mohammad Masoom Stanikzai said transparent elections and a peaceful transfer of power would have a positive impact on the reconciliation drive. He saw the election as a good opportunity for militants to find their way to the future government.

“Joining the peace does not only mean to surrender your weapons and stay idle at home; it also means taking part in the political system and serving the country” Stanikzai remarked.

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