| Afghanistan prints 15 million spare ballots As Afghan parliamentary elections approach on September 18, observers are raising concerns about the integrity and transparency of the vote. Numerous violations have already been discovered during the election campaign, and the CEC Commission on Complaints and Violations has examined more than a thousand complaints.
The situation is complicated by the fact that the Central Election Commission had to issue 15 million “extra” ballots (the country's population is about 28 million people). Representatives of the CEC explain such measures by the absence in Afghanistan of voter lists attached to certain polling stations, and therefore at each voting point there must supposedly be a supply of ballots. However, the opposition insists on the removal of “extra” forms in order to avoid fraud.
Increased concerns are also associated with possible manipulation of women's votes. In conservative provinces, registration cards for all female relatives are traditionally received by the head of the family. Representatives of the European Union note that serious violations were committed during such “registrations.” In addition, a wave of intimidation of female candidates and voters swept across the country.
The CEC Commission on Complaints and Violations is seriously concerned about the increase in illegal actions against candidates and employees of the Afghan Central Election Commission: four people have already been killed. The situation is particularly tense in the provinces of Ghor, Daykundi, Herat and Farah, where additional police units will be deployed. Ivan SOLOVIEV |
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