IEC receives 4400 sets of biometrics identity verification system

The Independent Election Commission of Afghanistan (IEC) officials are saying that 4,400 sets of biometrics identity verification system have been received for the upcoming parliamentary elections.

The officials showcased the newly-received systems in the presence of media outlets today.

The IEC officials further added that the remaining equipment for the activation of biometrics system would be delivered within the next seven days.

The head of the Central Statistics Organization confirmed that further equipment would be delivered within the next seven days to activate the biometrics system for the parliamentary elections, including the central servers for storing the biometrics data of the voters.

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MPs criticize Gov’t Institutions over failure to implement development projects

Afghan lawmakers on Monday criticized the government institutions over failure to spend their budget for implementing the development projects in the country.

The members of parliament on Monday summoned the Minister of Agriculture Nasir Ahmad Durrani over failure to implement the development projects and Head of Central Bank Khalil Sediq regarding increase in the value of US dollar against Afghani.

“Why Afghan currency has lost its value? How we can sustain it? and why the development projects of the ministries have not been implemented in the country?” questioned MP Nayeem lalai Hamidzai.

The Speaker of parliament Abdul Rahuf Ibrahimi, meanwhile, called on the government’s budgetary institutions to make efforts in spending their development budget.

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Grand National Coalition closes political offices in three provinces

The Grand National Coalition, consisting of political parties, has closed the offices of the Independent Election Commission (IEC) in three provinces.

Sources privy of the development in the Grand National Coalition have said the step was taken after the government and the election commission failed to positively respond to their demands.

The sources further added that the election offices in Helmand, Balkh, and Kandahar have been closed.

They also warned that the election offices in other provinces will also be closed if the government and election commission did not respond positively to their demands.

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Ghani сalls on European Council for more observes in election process

President Ashraf Ghani has called on the Council of European Union for more observers to ensure the transparency in the upcoming election process.

President Ghani in his second day of visit from Brussels has met with the President of the European Council Donald Tusk and urged him for more cooperation in Afghan electoral process.

In the meantime, the Independent Election Commission (IEC) praised the presence of more international and internal observers for the transparency of election process.

However, the Hezb-e Islami criticized fraud, widespread corruption and lack of management in the election process.

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Jamiat Islami declares final stance regarding e-NIC roll-out by Ghani

The Jamiat Islami party led by Salahuddin Rabbani and Ata Mohammad Noor declared its final stance regarding the roll-out of the electronic National Identity Cards (e-NIC) by President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani.

The party says the roll out of the electronic ID cards by the Presidential Palace is not appropriate due to the pending controversies in its contents.

According to a statement released by Jamiat Islami, the country is on the verge of holding the parliamentary and district councils elections and needs security and unity more than anything else.

The statement further adds that the roll out of the electronic ID cards with the pending controversies will distract people from voter registration and will harm the elections process.

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Critics question new security plan for Kabul

Military experts say new security plan for Kabul has failed to improve security as militants continue to launch coordinated attacks in the city.

On late Saturday, Rafigul Afghan, a senior advisor to Chief Executive and a key member of Jamiat-e-Islami was killed by unknown gunmen in Police District 17 of Kabul City. The attack was later claimed by the Taliban.

Atiqullah Amarkhil, a military expert said the Kabul security plan has been failed and there are still serious security challenges that need to be resolved. He said the plan shouldn’t have been revealed to public.

Criticizing the government over failure to ensure security, some Kabul residents said they have not seen any improvement in security of Kabul City, despite of government’s new measures.

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Atta Noor: ‘Pointless’ to hold elections unless IEC being reformed

Atta Mohammad Noor, Former Governor of Balkh province says bringing reforms in Election Commission (IEC) is “essential”, insisting that with the current situation, any kind of election is neglected.

Speaking to his supporters on Sunday in Mazar-e-Sharif City, Noor said: “Any kind of election is pointless and neglected, as long as this commission [IEC] is not being reformed.”

Noor’s criticism on government raised after being ousted from his post as provincial governor, more than three weeks ago.

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Gen. Raziq next target of government’s conspiracies, claims Noor

The Chief Executive of Jamiat-e-Islami party Ata Mohammad Noor claims that the government leaders continue to their policy of elimination of key political figures and warned that the next target of the conspiracies of the government leaders is the provincial police chief of Kandahar province General Abdul Raziq.

Speaking to a gathering of the tribal elders and residents of the northenr provinces of the country on Tuesday, Noor claimed that the government will attempt to oust the Kandahar governor Gen. Raziq as part of their conspiracies against the influential figures.

However, he insisted that Gen. Raziq will not be alone and will be supported against the conspiracies, similar as he (Gen. Raziq) supported him against the recent upheavals.

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Dostum strongly reacts at Ghani and US embassy remarks regarding Ishchi case

The first vice president and leader of Junbish Millie party General Abdul Rashid has strongly reacted at the remarks of President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani and a top US diplomat, hours after reports emerged that the controversial case involving the vice president and his rival has been referred to the court.

The office of the first vice president in a statement said the Attorney General Office is not having such an authority to permit the vice president to travel abroad, pointing towards President Ghani’s remarks during a press conference on Tuesday where he had said Gen. Dostum is in Turkey for the treatment on the permission of the Attorney General Office.

The statement further added that the US embassy must respect independency of Afghanistan and bilateral relations between the two countries, insisting that the legal and judicial system of the country has a clear definition and approach regarding such cases.

Gen. Dostum’s office also added that irresponsible remarks by the foreign diplomats and missions will only spark concerns among the people.

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Hekmatyar slams Iranian President for his remarks regarding construction of water dams

The leader of Hezb-e-Islami Gulbuddin hekmatyar slammed the Iranian President for his remarks regarding the construction of water dams in Afghanistan.

Speaking during a press conference in Kabul, Hekmatyar said no one has the right to give orders or warn the Afghan people.

Hekmatyar further added that no one has the right to interfere in the internal affairs of Afghanistan, urging Iran to respect the water treaty between the two nations.

According to Hekmatyar, such remarks are considered as a threat and urged the Iran to cooperate with Afghanistan as a good neighbor.

In the meantime, Hekmatyar urged the neighboring countries of Afghanistan, specifically Iran and Pakistan, to play their role in helping the Afghan government to ensure peace in Afghanistan.

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