News

Govt Vows To Hold Parliamentary Elections On Time

Apr 12 2016
Afghanistan
Source: 
ToloNews

Amid concerns over a delay in parliamentary polls, the Presidential Palace on Tuesday said elections will be held on time.

"Government is committed to bringing reforms in elections and it will try to hold the parliamentary elections at its scheduled time," said President Ashraf Ghani's deputy spokesman Shah Hussain Murtazawi.

Meanwhile, some senators and political electoral watchdog officials said they were concerned over a delay in holding parliamentary elections in the country.

Bahrain designates 68 groups as terrorist

Apr 11 2016
Bahrain
Source: 
Gulf News

Dubai: The Kingdom of Bahrain on Monday published a list of 68 Islamist groups it classified as terrorist, the state news agency BNA said.

Lebanon’s Shiite Hezbollah movement, already branded as “terrorist” by the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Arab League, topped the list approved by Bahrain’s cabinet, BNA said.

Also on the list was Al Qaida and its branches in Yemen and North Africa, as well as Al Nusra Front in Syria and Daesh.

Nigeria’s Boko Haram, Egypt’s Islamic Jihad and Al Murabitoun in Mali are also on the list.

Govt Blasted For Not Sending Reform Decree To Parliament

Apr 10 2016
Afghanistan
Source: 
ToloNews

A number of senators and MPs on Sunday criticized government for what they called a delay in sending President Ashraf Ghani's decree on election reforms to the two houses of parliament – Wolesi Jirga and Meshrano Jirga.

"Election is an important matter for Afghanistan. The government leaders lack a strong will in this regard. The gap between government and the people will increase if this prevails," said Senator Nadir Baloch.

Reformists give recommendations for second round of voting

Apr 07 2016
Iran
Source: 
Radio Zamaneh

Iran’s reformists report that they are endorsing 52 candidates in the second round of parliamentary elections next month.

Al Sufi, a spokesman for the group, told the Shargh daily on Wednesday April 6: “In some ridings we are not endorsing anyone; in others we are endorsing reformists or independent candidates, and in a very few cases, we are supporting the moderate conservative.”

He said only four moderate conservatives are being endorsed by the reformists in the second round.

Senate Urges Govt To Send Decree On Electoral Reforms To Parliament

Apr 05 2016
Afghanistan
Source: 
ToloNews

The Meshrano Jirga (Lower House of Parliament) in its plenary session on Tuesday called on government to send the presidential decree on electoral reforms to parliament.

A number of senators alleged that the government is not interested in bringing about electoral reforms.

They said that it has been almost a month since the decree was issued but it has not been sent to parliament so far.

Watchdog Criticizes Recent Changes In Selection Committee

Apr 04 2016
Afghanistan
Source: 
ToloNews

Afghanistan Civil Society Network for Elections (ACSEN) on Monday criticized the recent changes made in the Election Commissions' Selection Committee and called it was against the proposed draft provided by the Special Electoral Reform Commission (ERC).

Members of the committee said merit and impartiality principles have not been taken into consideration in the Selection Committee.

Govt Fails To Bring Electoral Reforms: FEFA

Mar 30 2016
Afghanistan
Source: 
ToloNews

Free and Fair Election Foundation of Afghanistan (FEFA) said on Wednesday government has failed to bring about electoral reforms.

"The National Unity Government (NUG) failed to bring about electoral reforms last year," said Ahmad Yusuf Rashid, Chief Executive Director of FEFA. He hoped that the government will not fail again this year.

The foundation urged leaders of the NUG to put aside their differences and work for electoral reforms.

The organization urged government to keep their political affiliations separate from the election council's selection committee.

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