Parwan candidates accuse rivals of fraud attempts

CHARIKAR candidates in central Parwan province on Sunday accused their rival hopefuls of using government resources and making some areas insecure in order to pave the ground for rigging.

The Wolesi Jirga elections are scheduled for Oct 20. Six Wolesi Jirga candidates from Parwan jointly addressed a press conference in Charikar, the provincial capital.

They included Abdul Zahir Salangi, Mohammad Agul Mujahid, Mohammad Shafi Mushfiq, Hasina Efat, Waheeda Painda and Mujahid Muahid Ibrahimi.

Salangi claimed some candidates wanted to rig the elections and others wanted to make some areas insecure in order they were able to commit fraud.

They also alleged some government officials participated in candidates’ campaign gatherings and openly voiced their support for the runners.

The candidates claimed high ranking officials who appear in campaign gatherings of candidates used to warn their subordinates they would be fired if they did not vote for the candidate of their choice.

But Parwan Governor Fazaluddin Ayar said the candidates should substantiate their allegations so the authorities could take action.

He said if government officials or security organizations were found siding with candidates on the Election Day, they would be fired from their jobs.

pk/ma