With a hint of dissonance, Yusef Nuristani, the Chairman of the Independent Election Commission (IEC), spoke to the Lower House on Wednesday and assured the MPs that the spring election's would be held according to schedule while also informing them that the voter registration process would need to be extended by 45 days for remote villages.
"In spite of the growing concerns and speculations over a delay in the electoral process, elections will be held on time - the 5th of April, 2014," Mr. Nuristani said to the assembled MPs.
"The second phase of voter registration process will be completed within a few days, however, it has been extended by 45 days in remote villages to make sure eligible voters receive their voting cards," he added. "There is nothing to worry about as the IEC has been implementing its programmes as per plan."
The IEC Chief did not bother to elaborate on just how the last minute extension of the voter registration period for rural communities would impact the original schedule set out by the IEC, which states that the voter registration process would end on September 26.
The assurance of a timely election and announcement of the tailored registration window extension were responses to issues that have been raised by MPs and other influential Afghans in recent weeks. Those concerns were revisited on Wednesday.
Mirwais Yasini, the First Deputy Speaker of the Lower House, implored the IEC to take appropriate measure to prevent the interference of powerful individuals in the electoral process. There have been many speculations lobbied around by opponents of President Hamid Karzai that he would intentionally delay the elections or have is hand in electoral fraud to influence the outcome.
"What strategy has the IEC adopted in order to prevent rigging in the elections? Several cases of frauds were reported in the previous elections," Mr. Yasini said referring to the 2009 elections in which President Karzai was accused of fraud by both Afghan and foreigner observers. "The interference of powerful figures in the electoral process should be stopped. The Commission should assure the people that elections will be conducted in a transparent manner," he said.
Regarding the issue of voter registration, a number of MPs criticized the IEC for setting up insufficient numbers of voter registration centres around the country.
"There are a limited numbers of voting centers; more centers should be established, especially in Kabul city. Many people do not know where to go for voting cards. The working hours of these centres are too short. It is high time that the Commission addressed these issues," said MP Humaira Ayoubi.
It would appear the IEC has recognized the inadequacies in the registration process, particularly in the most rural areas of the country, which is why it has extended the registration period in certain regions.
As of now, the IEC reports that a total of 1,095,500 Afghans have registered to vote.
MP Farkhunda Zahra Naderi urged the IEC to work closer with security institutions and managing security at the polling stations. Ms. Naderi added that if the security situation was handled well during the elections, it would help ensure legitimacy.
"This will pave the way for holding free and transparent elections," said MP Naderi.
Although security has been the focus issue of election discourse in the past month, with a number of registration centres remaining closed due to security threats, increasingly concerns have been voiced regarding potential electoral fraud and a delay in the election process.
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Election Schedule Will be Kept, Rural Voter Registration Window Extended: IEC Chief
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