Tuesday August 23, 2016
Kabul (BNA) After taking the legal viewpoint of supervision commission on implementation of constitution about legislative decree, the leading body of National Unity Government has prepared the draft of amended law of elections for approval of cabinet.
The working group of government after receiving the considerations of this commission due to numerous and continued meetings in last two weeks, evaluated the content of draft of this law technically and legally in order to accelerate the process of reforms in electoral system. A number of parliament members, independent electoral institutions, experts and people of Afghanistan have presented different viewpoints in the connection. The independent electoral institutions regard bringing reforms in electoral system far from any political dependency as a basic roadmap for having a transparent election in the will of all people of Afghanistan.
Likewise, the election foundation of Afghanistan proposes short-term transparent and healthy elections, preparing the list of voters, amendment in working method as well as changing of electoral commissions’ structure as necessary roadmap for the process. Meanwhile, a number of political experts of the country considered reforms in electoral system as one of the necessary strategy for the future parliamentary elections. They emphasized that the people of Afghanistan no more want to have elections full of fraud and violence. The experts also warn if the reforms not to be implemented soon in electoral commissions, it is possible that our citizens will not to cast their votes in next parliamentary elections. A political expert, Ali Rahmani says that as in very days of establishment of National Unity Government, the leaders of government had proclaimed that bringing reforms in electoral system is one of their working priorities, so they should be loyal to their commitments and implement these assertions practically. Because, bringing reforms in electoral system is one the basic demands of the people. Rahmani added that the reforms in electoral system should be implemented soon and delay in bringing reforms in electoral system and postponement in amendment of electoral system would make disbelief the people regarding the elections.
At the same time, a number of Kabul citizens believe that reforms in electoral system is one of basic needs of the country, because, the previous elections was along with problems and challenges. So, it is necessary that reforms in the electoral system should take place soon and the upcoming election to be held in an atmosphere free from fraud and the trust which is lost be achieved once again. One of Kabul citizens, Feraidoon said that so far, the people of Afghanistan have experienced the elections three times. They believe if serious reforms not to be taken place in laws and electoral system the people would not participate in the upcoming elections, because, the people want the elections not to be held along with fraud. Our people welcomed the establishment of election commission by National Unity Government and asked the members of this commission to begin their practical works on this issue.
This is in a time while 2014 presidential elections was welcomed globally, but because the election was along with fraud caused to rise up the International and national concerns. So, the leaders of national unity government should bring reforms in electoral system that they promised to the people in very working days.
Shukria Kohistani
