News

Election campaign to foster unity: Karzai

Feb 20 2014
Afghanistan
Source: 
Pajhwok Afghan News

President Hamid Karzai on Thursday once again made clear government officials could not utilise national resources in favour or against presidential candidates.

In his fortnightly radio address, the president said peaceful and successful elections were linked to people’s enthusiastic participation in the process.

“Afghan forces will secure elections with the cooperation of the masses. We should throng to polling stations and cast our votes in favour of our favourite candidates,” he added.

Four Presidential Candidates Take Part in Second TV Debate

Feb 19 2014
Afghanistan
Source: 
Tolo News

Four Afghan presidential candidates participated in the second televised TOLOnews debate on Tuesday night, exchanging views on the country's security and domestic politics ahead of the April vote.

The candidates went head-to head into testy exchanges during the debate, which touched on security, corruption, women's rights.

The candidates answered questions for nearly two hours from moderator Mujahid Kakar.

Masses urged to take part in elections

Feb 18 2014
Afghanistan
Source: 
Pajhwok Afghan News

Religious scholars in eastern Nangarhar province on Tuesday urged the masses to take active part in the April presidential and provincial council elections.

Several religious scholars gathered in the Spin mosque in provincial capital and underlined the importance of elections for a peaceful change.

Maulvi Mirza Turabi, a prayer leader, said the gathering was aimed to discuss various aspects of the role and character of Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him).

Presidential Campaign Extends to Provinces

Feb 14 2014
Afghanistan
Source: 
Tolo News

Residents of Faryab, Laghman and Helmand, announced their support for candidates in numerous gatherings.

In a gathering in Maimana city of Faryab province, residents announced their support for Presidential Candidate Dr. Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai. While announcing their support, the gathering asked all Afghan nationals to participate in the upcoming elections.

Presidential Campaigns Kick Off Today

Feb 02 2014
Afghanistan
Source: 
Tolo News

The Afghan presidential election campaigns formally kicked off on Sunday, officials of the Independent Election Commission (IEC) announced.

The Presidential and Provincial Council elections are scheduled to be held on April 5 this year, and is expected to be a momentous step for the country marking the first democratic transition of Presidential power in Afghan history. 

No foreign meddling to ensure fair vote: Karzai

Jan 20 2014
Afghanistan
Source: 
Pajhwok Afghan News

KABUL (Pajhwok): President Hamid Karzai on Monday said Afghanistan could hold transparent elections due on April 5 if foreign interference was not allowed in the process.

The president was addressing a meeting attended by Interior Ministry officials and police chiefs from all the 34 provinces at the Presidential Palace, his office said.

Karzai praised Afghan security forces for their sacrifices in the line of duty and defending the country and the people, a statement issued from his office said.

Afghan Officials Confident On Security For Elections

Jan 13 2014
Afghanistan
Source: 
Radio Free Europe

Afghan security officials are assuring the public that nearly all the country's polling stations will be safe during April's presidential and provincial elections. 

Interior Ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqqi said on January 11 that a security assessment done for the upcoming elections showed that safety can be "guaranteed" at 6,431 of Afghanistan's 6,845 polling stations.

Sediqqi said the efforts are already under way to ensure safety at the remaining 414 polling stations.

93 Percent of Polling Centers will be open during the Election Day: MOI

Jan 12 2014
Afghanistan
Source: 
Bokhdi News Agency

According to the Ministry of Interior About 93 percent of polling centers are expected to be open for business during Election Day.

"Out of 6,831 polling centers, 6,431 will be open and the Afghan forces will oversee security responsibilities," MoI spokesman Sediq Sediqqi said. "Unfortunately, 414 polling centers will not be open."

Afghan defense ministry spokesman, Gen. Zahir Azimi said, the Afghan army officers were summoned to capital Kabul to discuss steps in providing security for the upcoming elections.

Female candidates reluctant to enter electioneering

Jan 07 2014
Afghanistan
Source: 
Pajhwok Afghan News

HERAT CITY (PAN): Female provincial council candidates on Tuesday said they could not travel to districts fearing attacks on them if they plunged into electioneering in western Herat province.

They said women were often attacked in Herat City by militants and unknown gunmen, accusing police of releasing individuals after their arrests on charges of insurgent activities.

Electoral watchdog warns Dr. Ghani

Jan 04 2014
Afghanistan
Source: 
Pajhwok Afghan News

KABUL (PAN): The Independent Electoral Complaints Commission (IECC) on Saturday renewed its warning to presidential and provincial council candidates to avoid electioneering ahead of the stipulated time.

IECC officials say they have formally informed presidential and provincial council elections not to embark on election campaigns ahead of the time.

0.3 Million observers to monitor elections: IEC

Jan 04 2014
Afghanistan
Source: 
Afghanistan Times
KABUL: Independent Election Commission (IEC) on Saturday said that 300,000 national and international observers will monitor the upcoming presidential elections in a bid to ensure transparency of the April polls.
“Observing elections is a key element in a democratic system, and the commission will do its best through all possible means to pave the ground for all eligible entities including civil societies and political parties to monitor the election process across the country,” said IEC spokesman Noor Mohammad Noor.

EU to observe Afghan electoral process

Dec 20 2013
Afghanistan
Source: 
Pajhwok Afghan News

KABUL (PAN): The European community has promised to continue playing an important role in ensuring that Afghanistan continues its transformation into a democratic state with a modern economy.

The assurance was held out at a one-day conference on the prospects and challenges for Afghanistan in the wake of next year’s troop withdrawal. The event was organised by the European Parliament’s foreign affairs committee in Brussels.

Afghan president suggests delay in April polls

Dec 02 2013
Afghanistan
Source: 
Dawn News

KABUL: Afghan President Hamid Karzai has suggested delaying April elections to avoid heavy snow, organisers said, an idea that will rattle the United States and critics who fear he may be trying to drag out his second and final term.

Karzai is barred by the constitution from running for a third term and has so far refrained from backing any of the candidates, although he is widely expected to support his elder brother Qayum, seen as one of the front runners.

Pages