IEC’s Committee Has Selective Approach toward Candidates: Anwari
The chairman of Hezb-e Harakat-e Islami of Afghanistan Sayed Khalilullah Anwari said Wednesday during a press conference held under the title of Human Rights Activists in relation to the problems of parliamentary candidates that “the IEC’s committee investigating charged candidates has a selective approach towards the candidates.”
The chairman of Hezb-e Harakat-e Islami of Afghanistan Sayed Khalilullah Anwari said Wednesday during a press conference held under the title of Human Rights Activists in relation to the problems of parliamentary candidates that “the IEC’s committee investigating charged candidates has a selective approach towards the candidates.”
“as long as the court’s ruling has not been issued on an accused individual, that person is not a criminal and depriving them of their rights is not acceptable in any law,” the chairman of Hezb-e Harakat-e Islami of Afghanistan Sayed Khalilullah Anwari said.
The IEC’s Special Committee investigating candidates accused of having membership or command of illegal armed groups, Has Removed 25 nominees from the final list of candidates last week.
“disqualifying some candidates from their candidacy by the IEC’s committee without proof of a crime is just a humorous measure,” Mr Anwari added. “the IEC does not have the right to have selective approach towards the candidates,” the chairman of Harakat-e Islami of Afghanistan party stressed. “we have a case in the north of the country that two candidates have been charged with the same file, but one gets exemption from the IEC, the other is being disqualified. There is no clarity,” he continued.
Sayed Khalilullah Anwari further said that “any attempts that taint the election process and ignoring the rights of citizens, disqualifying a candidate without reasonable reasons will lead to serious consequences in the country.”
Mr. Anwari called on the Electoral Complaints Commission (ECC) to make its approach public and that how it disqualifies the candidates and should avoid selective approach.
Meanwhile, Ms. Homaira Saqib, a civil activist said: “If the allegations of Wolesi Jirga candidates are not transparently addressed, this process will make women vulnerable in the election process.”
On the other hand, Liyaqat Ali Amini, the head of the Institute for Development and Democracy, said: “worse challenges have been formed about the election and will continue to undermine democracy in Afghanistan.”
“The ECC has been flexible to bullying, and some powerful individuals have been added to the primary list again,” he added.
