Electoral materials yet to reach 30 districts, says IEC

KABUL) on Tuesday said electoral materials could not be transferred to 30 districts, with only three days remaining to go for the Wolesi Jiraga elections.

The IEC had previously said electoral materials would be airdropped to 72 districts due to impassable routes and security problems.

Wasima Badghisi, IEC deputy chief, told a press conference in Kabul that the commission had been able to transfer electoral materials through the air to 44 districts but the decision on sending the materials to 30 other districts would be made today.

The conference was also attended by representatives of political parties, civil society activists and election oversight institutes.

Sayed Hafizullah Hashemi, the IEC spokesman, cited bad weather as reason behind the delay in transfering election materials and excessive business of helicopters.

He said the issue would be shared in the security meeting today to find a way how to transfer the electoral materials to the rest of districts.

Abdul Baday Sayyad, the IEC chief who also attended the conference, said all technical and operational measures had been taken for holding the October 20 elections.

He asked people particularly the youth to participate in the polls and exercise their right to enfranchise.

Sayyad also asked security forces to try hard to protect voters and polling stations so people felt safe while voting. “Anyone who used more than two votes for a candidate would be brought to justice, he warned.

He said elections were the only way to get the country out of its challenges. “There is no other way except elections that can lead us to solution to current problems,” he said.

According to the IEC, elections would not be held in 10 districts and some areas of the country due to security problems.

mds/ma