pajhwok afghan news (pan) weekly election coverage newsletter

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Pajhwok Afghan News (PAN) Weekly Election Coverage Newsletter, Feb.12-18 Page 1 Helmand gatherings back Rassoul, Sayyaf By Shams Jalal Feb 12, 2014 - 19:10 http://www.elections.pajhwok.com/www.vote.af http://www.pajhwok.com KANDAHAR CITY (Pajhwok): The governor on Wednesday asked security organs to ensure elections candidates were provided adequate security during the electioneering in southern Kandahar province. Dr. Tooryalai Weesa told the weekly security meeting that militant activities had been curtailed in Kandahar City, the provincial capital, and districts as a result of ongoing security operations. The governor asked campaigners of candidates and workers to register with the provincial administration so that security forces could provide them security. He also said special attention should be paid to the city’s cleanliness during the electioneering and posters should not be displayed in improper places. At the meeting, Mayor Qazi Mohammad Omar Omar said his department had identified places for erecting billboards and pasting posters. Security high-ups told the meeting operations to suppress militant activity were underway and a large number of rebels were killed and a huge quantity of arms and explosives seized over the past one week. http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/02/12/weesa-wants- candidates%E2%80%99-security-ensured Weesa wants candidates’ security ensured By Bashir Ahmad Naadim Feb 12, 2014 - 20:17 was attended by about 500 people, said Malim Mirwali, a Wolesi Jirga member from Helmand. The MP said the gathering was aimed at mobilising the people to actively participate in the April presidential and provincial council elections in line with their national responsibility. He added the participants voiced support to Rassoul because they were convinced the former foreign minister had better programmes than others and that he understood well international politics. Elsewhere in the city, hundreds of people gathered in Tor Tang area, pledging support to Sayyaf. A campaigner, Wali Jan Sabiri, hoped people would vote for Sayyaf due to his significant sacrifices during the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and his reputation as a religious scholar. Addressing the gathering, former jihadi commander Ahlullah Obaidi said all those vying for the presidency were national personalities, who could serve the country turn by turn. He supported Sayyaf because he had better programmes for the country’s rebuilding, announcing the extension of their campaigning to Helmand’s districts. http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/02/12/helmand-gatherings- back-rassoul-sayyaf LASHKARGAH (Pajhwok): Two separate gatherings were held in support of presidential candidates Zalmai Rassoul and Abdul Rab Rassoul Sayyaf in southern Helmand province on Wednesday. The gathering in support of Rassoul, held in Lashkargah, Voter cards demanded for Gizab dwellers By Hadi Ghafari Feb 12, 2014 - 17:46 NEILI (Pajhwok): Three thousand people have signed an open letter calling on the government to issue voter registration cards to residents of Gizab district and increase the number of polling stations in central Daikundi province. In the letter, civil society activists said voter cards had not been distributed to Gizab residents, who would not be able to exercise their franchise right in the April elections. Suhrab Saroosh, the Daikundi Civil Society Network chief, told Pajhwok Afghan News copies of the letter would be sent to the president,

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Page 1: Pajhwok Afghan News (PAN) Weekly Election Coverage Newsletter

Pajhwok Afghan News (PAN) Weekly Election Coverage Newsletter, Feb.12-18

Page 1

Helmand gatherings back Rassoul, Sayyaf By Shams Jalal Feb 12, 2014 - 19:10

http://www.elections.pajhwok.com/www.vote.af http://www.pajhwok.com

KANDAHAR CITY (Pajhwok): The governor on

Wednesday asked security organs to ensure elections

candidates were provided adequate security during the

electioneering in southern Kandahar province.

Dr. Tooryalai Weesa told the weekly security meeting that

militant activities had been curtailed in Kandahar City, the

provincial capital, and districts as a result of ongoing

security operations.

The governor asked campaigners of candidates and

workers to register with the provincial administration so

that security forces could provide them security.

He also said special attention should be paid to the city’s

cleanliness during the electioneering and posters should

not be displayed in improper places.

At the meeting, Mayor Qazi Mohammad Omar Omar said

his department had identified places for erecting

billboards and pasting posters.

Security high-ups told the meeting operations to suppress

militant activity were underway and a large number of

rebels were killed and a huge quantity of arms and

explosives seized over the past one week. http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/02/12/weesa-wants-

candidates%E2%80%99-security-ensured

Weesa wants candidates’ security ensured By Bashir Ahmad Naadim Feb 12, 2014 - 20:17

was attended by about 500 people, said Malim Mirwali, a

Wolesi Jirga member from Helmand.

The MP said the gathering was aimed at mobilising the

people to actively participate in the April presidential and

provincial council elections in line with their national

responsibility.

He added the participants voiced support to Rassoul because

they were convinced the former foreign minister had better

programmes than others and that he understood well

international politics.

Elsewhere in the city, hundreds of people gathered in Tor

Tang area, pledging support to Sayyaf. A campaigner, Wali

Jan Sabiri, hoped people would vote for Sayyaf due to his

significant sacrifices during the Soviet invasion of

Afghanistan and his reputation as a religious scholar.

Addressing the gathering, former jihadi commander

Ahlullah Obaidi said all those vying for the presidency were

national personalities, who could serve the country turn by

turn.

He supported Sayyaf because he had better programmes for

the country’s rebuilding, announcing the extension of their

campaigning to Helmand’s districts. http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/02/12/helmand-gatherings-

back-rassoul-sayyaf

LASHKARGAH (Pajhwok): Two separate gatherings

were held in support of presidential candidates Zalmai

Rassoul and Abdul Rab Rassoul Sayyaf in southern

Helmand province on Wednesday. The gathering in

support of Rassoul, held in Lashkargah,

Voter cards demanded for Gizab dwellers By Hadi Ghafari Feb 12, 2014 - 17:46

NEILI (Pajhwok): Three thousand people have signed an

open letter calling on the government to issue voter

registration cards to residents of Gizab district and increase

the number of polling stations in central Daikundi province.

In the letter, civil society activists said voter cards had not

been distributed to Gizab residents, who would not be able

to exercise their franchise right in the April elections.

Suhrab Saroosh, the Daikundi Civil Society Network chief,

told Pajhwok Afghan News copies of the letter would be

sent to the president,

Page 2: Pajhwok Afghan News (PAN) Weekly Election Coverage Newsletter

Pajhwok Afghan News

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Election Coverage Newsletter

http://www.elections.pajhwok.com http://www.pajhwok.com

MoI asks police to maintain neutrality By Pajhwok reporter Feb 13, 2014 - 18:28

KABUL (Pajhwok): Police officers, intending to campaign for

or against presidential candidates, should resign before plunging

into politics, warned the Ministry of Interior (MoI) on Thursday

The ministry stressed police must be impartial in the election

process and warned officers found taking sides would have to

face legal consequences without exception.

President Karzai also has called on government officials to

maintain neutrality and avoid taking sides or misusing

government machinery.

The two-month presidential campaigns will end 48 hours before

the Election Day (April 5).

http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/02/13/moi-asks-police-

maintain-neutrality

the Independent Election Commission (IEC) and the Free

and Fair Election Foundation of Afghanistan (FIFA).

He said voter cards were yet to be issued to the people of

Gizab and the election commission seemed to have no

intention to do so.

But Sughra Attayee, Daikundi IEC office head, said Gizab

belonged to Uruzgan province, not Daikundi.

However, Gizab is 10 kilometres south of Neili, the capital

city of Daikundi.

Attayee conceded the 174 polling centres, comprising 563

polling stations, in Daikundi were inadequate.

Deputy Governor Habibullah Radmanish confirmed the

concerns of civil society. He said roads would possibly be

closed on the election day if it was raining or snowfall. http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/02/12/voter-cards-demanded-

gizab-dwellers

Hundreds of the Ismaili community members attended the

rally organised under the aegis of Paiwand Milli Party of

Afghanistan.

The participants said they supported Ahmadzai for his

clear agenda and programmes, which they believed could

guarantee a better future for Afghanistan.

Syed Mansur Naderi, the community’s spiritual leader and

founder of the party, said they had been following

Ahmadzai’s plans for the last few months and were

convinced his ideas were unambiguous and better than

others.

He said their party had members in 14 provinces and all

of them saw Ahmadzai the right man to be the next

president of Afghanistan.

In northern Faryab province, hundreds of people,

including Junbish-i-Milli Afghanistan Party of Abdul

Rashid Dostum, organised a gathering in support of

Ahmadzai.

Junbish deputy provincial chief Syed Ahmad Syed said

about 2,000 people belonging to various from political

and civil society groups attended the gathering that

marked the opening of a campaign office for Ahmadzai in

Maimana, the provincial capital.

He said members of Junbish, the Right and Justice and

Refah-i-Milli parties attended the rally and voiced support

to Ahmadzai.

He said they had formed eight committees tasked with

establishing 17 campaign offices in Maimana and 16 in

districts.

Chief campaigner for Ahmadzai in Faryab, Rahmatullah

Turkistani, called the former finance minister as

appropriate person to lead the country.

The campaign’s Ulema Committee head, Maulvi Gul

Ahmad believed Ahmadzai and his first vice-presidential

choice Dostum could steer the country out of the conflict. http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/02/13/support-presidential-

runner-ghani-swells

Support to presidential runner Ghani swells By Pajhwok reporter Feb 13, 2014 - 19:47

KABUL/MAIMANA (Pajhwok): The Ismaili community

on Thursday organised a rally in Kabul, pledging support

to leading presidential candidate Dr. Ashraf Ghani

Ahmadzai, who also mustered such backing in northern

Faryab province. Support to presidential runner Ghani swells By Pajhwok reporter Feb 13, 2014 - 19:47

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Election Coverage Newsletter

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, accusing him of not returning two armoured vehicles.

He had been given the vehicles during his official tenure

as chief of the Security Transition Programme. Sadat said

Ahmadzai, unlike other candidates, had not sought

armoured vehicles from the Ministry of Interior.

But he continued to illegally possess for the last five

months the armoured vehicles he was previously given.

Other candidates accused of violating the Election Law

include Daud Sultanzoy, Abdul Rab Rassoul and Abdul

Rahim Wardak. Sultanzoy is shown in a video clip,

threatening a private TV channel reporter.

Sadat said the video shared on social media was authentic

and the case being of a criminal nature had been referred

to the Attorney General Office (AGO).

Sayyaf has been accused of benefitting from government

resources in his election campaign. Sadat showed a

picture of a police pickup carrying a portrait of Sayyaf.

However, the IECC official said the police vehicle’s

number plate was not visible in the picture and it seemed

the photo was not real.

He added the commission had written a letter to Sayyaf

and cautioned him against using government resources

during his campaign.

In complaints against Wardak, a teacher has been accused

of using a government school and its students in the

campaign for Wardak in central Parwan province.

But Sadat said the complaints were rejected after no

concrete evidence could be produced and complainants

failed to testify before the commission.

Link: http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/02/15/ghani-fined-

failing-return-govt-vehicles

KABUL (Pajhwok): Hundreds of civil society activists on

Saturday announced their support to presidential candidate

Gul Agha Sherzai at a gathering in Kabul.

Sherzai’s campaign manager Mohammad Mohammadi said

hundreds of individuals -- representing various civil society

groups -- attended the gathering.

Activists from Afghan Youth Cultural Association,

National Coalition of Civil Society Organisations, Afghan

Students Association, Social Council of Safa Residential

Shahrak and Ahl-i-Bait Association were present at the

gathering.

Afghan Youth Cultural Association head Syed Hadi told

the audience the Afghans were in dire need of health

services and Sherzai had a history of executing health,

education, economic and reconstruction projects.

He also requested the former Nangarhar governor to create

jobs for the youth if he won the April 5 elections.

National Coalition of Civil Society Organizations

(NCCSO) spokesman, Khudai Dad said Sherzai’s past

performance encouraged the masses to support him.

Sherzai, speaking at the gathering, stressed the need for

national unity, asking people to be careful in selecting their

preferred candidate.

Sherzai said he would never accept slavery and would

always remain in the service of the nation. “We will

develop Afghanistan with your support under Islamic

laws.” Link: http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/02/15/hundreds-gather-

support-sherzai

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Independent Electoral Complaints

Commission (IECC) on Saturday slapped a fine of 50,000

afghanis on presidential candidate Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai.

Announcing results of its investigations into complaints

against four runners, the watchdog chief said Ahmadzai had

been accused of misusing government resources. IECC

Chairman Abdul Sattar Sadat said the Presidential Palace’s

Administrative Affairs Office and the Cabinet Secretariat

had filed complaints against Ahmadzai

Ahmadzai, Rassoul muster more support By Javed Hamim Kakar Feb 15, 2014 - 20:45

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Afghanistan Milli Tehreek

(national movement) Party led by Ismail Yun on Saturday

announced its support to presidential candidate Ashraf

Ghani Ahmadzai

Ghani fined for failing to return govt vehicles By Muhammad Hassan Khitab Feb 15, 2014 - 14:45

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Election Coverage Newsletter

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including Hilal, and details of the meetings had been con-

veyed in writing to Hekmatyar.

He said Hekmatyar, after consultations with other leaders,

had approved support to Hilal in the presidential elections. Link: http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/02/15/hekmatyar-led-

hia-supports-hilal

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Independent Electoral

Complaints Commission (IECC) has removed 19 more

provincial council candidates from the final list, an official

said on Sunday.

IECC spokesman Nadir Mohseni said the decision was

taken after a scrutiny of the documents of 74 provincial

council contenders.

All complaints regarding contenders’ age, their national

identity cards and citizenship were reviewed, which

resulted in the removal of 19 runners from the final list. http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/02/16/19-pc-runners-removed

-final-list

In a statement, the party said it had been assessing

programmes and agendas of the 11 candidates since the

announcement of the final candidate list to see which one

of them matched the movement’s policies.

The party wanted to swing behind a candidate, who had

the passion and ability to promote and preserve the

national values--- humanity, Afghan code of life and

Islam.

The statement said the Milli Tehreek had decided on

supporting Ahmadzai after undergoing prolonged

discussions among its intellectuals, leaders and members.

It said Ismail Yun would present the party’s policy on the

country’s present and future prosperity and the

establishment of a judicious system to Ahmadzai in

written form.

A campaigner for Ahmadzai, Suliman Khpalwak,

confirmed Ismail Yun’s party had announced its support

to the former finance minister.

Meanwhile, the Rafah and Adalat (social welfare and

justice) party announced it would back presidential

candidate Dr. Zalmai Rassoul in the April elections.

The campaign office of Rassoul in a statement said the

party had been operating in 25 provinces and had vast

support there.

In a separate statement, Rassoul’s campaign office said

hundreds of people in Panjsher, Paktia and Logar have

announced their support to the former foreign minister. Link: http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/02/15/ahmadzai-

rassoul-muster-more-support

Number of insecure polling sites falls By Azizullah Hamdard Feb 16, 2014 - 17:43

Hekmatyar-led HIA supports Hilal By Javed Hamim Kakar Feb 15, 2014 - 19:38

19 PC runners removed from final list By Pajhwok Report Feb 16, 2014 - 14:16

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Hezb-i-Islami Afghanistan, led

by former prime minister Gulbadin Hekmatyar, has

finally decided on lending support to presidential

candidate Qutbuddin Hilal. Dr. Ghairat Baheer, in charge

of HIA political affairs, on Saturday told Pajhwok

Afghan News the decision to back Hilal in the April 5

elections came at a meeting of the party’s executive body.

Baheer, who arrived in Kabul at the head of a delegation

last week, said the group had called on all supporters to

vote for Hilal. He added his delegation had held talks

with several political leaders,

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Ministry of Interior on Sunday

said security for 24 polling stations, previously considered

as insecure in three provinces, has been ensured.

MoI spokesman Siddiqui Siddique told a press conference

in Kabul 19 of the sites were located in Ghor, three in

Kapisa and two in Badakhshan provinces.

He said currently 390 polling sites in 11 provinces

remained under high security threats, but Afghan forces

were making efforts to ensure these sites were protected.

“We will do our best to improve security around all polling

stations over the next weeks,” Siddique said, adding that

security forces would not allow militants to disrupt the

election process.

The official said police had so far been able to protect

election workers, campaigners and presidential candidates

and the forces had the ability to keep security during the

campaign.

Security organs, in their report last month, said they would

not be able to provide security for 414 of the 6845 polling

sites in 11 provinces.

But a week back, the MoI issued a report on election

security, indicating the number of insecure polling sites

had increased from 414 to 420.

Link: http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/02/16/number-insecure-

polling-sites-falls

Page 5: Pajhwok Afghan News (PAN) Weekly Election Coverage Newsletter

IECC names 19 disqualified PC runners By Pajhwok reporter Feb 17, 2014 - 15:19

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Independent Electoral

Complaints Commission (IECC) on Monday announced

the names of 19 provincial council candidates removed

from the final list. They are Rehana Pajohish from

Bamyan; Syed Sharafatullah Aslami, Zabihullah Mukhlis

and Hamidullah Jaijoon from Badakhshan; Syed

Mohammad Bashir Niazai from Jawzjan; Niamatullah

Amiri from Daikundi; and Saifur Rahman Rahmani from

Samangan. Also struck off the list are Atifa Amiri,

Mohammad Anwar Haidari, Mohammad Azam Azami

and Ahmad Javid Kiomars from Kabul; Ehsanullah Arab

and Mohammad Latif from Kunduz; Mohammad Nafi

Rokyal and Izzatullah Sarwari from Kandahar; Abdul

Wasi Naqikhel from Laghman; Abdul Hadi Ahmadzai and

Abdur Razzaq from Logar. IECC spokesman Nadir

Mohseni said on Sunday the decision was taken after a

scrutiny of the documents of 74 provincial council

contenders. About a month ago, 25 PC runners were

removed from the list for age forgery. All complaints re-

garding contenders’ age, their national identity cards and

citizenship were reviewed, which resulted in the removal

of 19 runners from the final list.

MAIDAN SHAHAR (Pajhwok): Thirty-seven polling sites

previously considered insecure have been protected as a

result of operations by security forces in Maidan Wardak

province, local officials said on Sunday.

Pajhwok Afghan News

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Election Coverage Newsletter

http://www.elections.pajhwok.com http://www.pajhwok.com

PUL-E-KHUMRI (Pajhwok): Under heavy insurgents’

threat, locals have secured the highly sensitive polling

stations in Burka district of northern Baghlan province and

they demanded launching of presidential campaign in the

district.

Nazar Mohammad, a local of the district, said people of

his locality had worked out stringent security measures

with the cooperation of police and there were no security

concerns for elections campaign.

“Earlier, illegal armed group and Taliban remnants were

harassing locals. Finally, we decided not to allow any

group or saboteur to disrupt the security during the pols,”

he added.

He said another polling station was facing security threat

in this district but that would be secured soon.

Around 30,000 families were living in the district, with

40,000 individuals were eligible to vote but elections

campaign could not be launched so far in the district.

Amanullah Habibi, director provincial election

commission, said a public awareness team would soon be

sent to the district in connection of elections.

Abdul Majid, district police chief, his force would ensure

security of another district so that proper canvassing could

be launched by the candidates. Link: http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/02/16/locals-ensure-

security-polling-stations

Locals ensure security of polling stations By Habibur Rahman Sherzai Feb 16, 2014 - 14:07

Governor Abdul Majid Khogyani told Pajhwok Afghan

News they had taken proactive measures to hold fair and

transparent elections in the central province. Security had

been ensured for all 160 polling sites across the province,

he claimed.

Khogyani said: “The previously vulnerable sites are

located in Jaghatu and Daimirdad districts, where security

operations are presently underway. We are striving to

protect these sites from possible threats.”

He added they had held talks with residents, who had held

out assurances to help the authorities in maintaining

stability in the restive areas. The governor promised

transparent polls would be held in Maidan Wardak.

The overall security situation was stable in Maidan

Wardak, where requisite election material had been

supplied to districts through land routes, he insisted. The

Kabul-Kandahar and Kabul-Bamyan highways had also

been secured, he said.

Khogyani said the foundation stone of a university would

be laid soon and they would strive to complete its building

and inaugurate next year.

“Construction work on many development schemes is

underway. An industrial park project is the biggest of

these schemes. Last year, we executed projects worth two

billion afghanis,” he concluded.

Link: http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/02/16/khogyani-

hopes-fair-polls-wardak

Khogyani hopes for fair polls in Wardak By Mahbob Shah Mahbob Feb 16, 2014 - 12:57

Page 6: Pajhwok Afghan News (PAN) Weekly Election Coverage Newsletter

Islamic Party also swings behind Ahmadzai By Abasin Zaheer Feb 17, 2014 - 18:33

Pajhwok Afghan News

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Election Coverage Newsletter

http://www.elections.pajhwok.com http://www.pajhwok.com

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Islamic Party, led by Azizullah

Din Mohammad, on Monday pledged support to front-line

presidential runner Dr. Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai.

President Hamid Karzai’s campaign manager in the

previous election, Din Mohammad hailed Ahmadzai as a

competent leader who could steer the country out of

problems.

Addressing a public gathering in Kabul, he asked the

candidate to work for strengthening peace, introducing the

Islamic system protecting Afghanistan’s territorial

integrity.

While stressing an inclusive and transparent election on

April 5, he urged the participants to launch a door-to-door

campaign for Ahmadzai. He also urged the inclusion of

religious scholars in government.

Ahmadzai welcomed the support pledge from Din

Mohammad and ex-jihadi commanders from the party,

which had been under the leadership of Maulvi

Mohammad Younus Khalis.

He promised respect for Islamic values and national

sovereignty, saying he would all he could to restore peace,

combat corruption, resolve refugees’ problems and give

women their due rights.

“In deep love with my nation, I’m ready to render any

sacrifice for the sake of peace. My hands are clean and

want to introduce the Baitul Mal system,” declared the

ex-finance minister.

Negotiations would be held with the fighters in mosques,

which would echo with a peace message, he said. He

plans to build a modern seminary in each province.

Ahmadzai praised President Karzai for paving the ground

for elections in consonance with the constitution. The

public mandate, the election outcome, should be

acceptable to all, he stressed. Link: http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/02/17/islamic-party-

also-swings-behind-ahmadzai

But the disqualified candidates rejected the IECC decision,

saying they had produced age certificates to meet the

commission rules. They are determined to find their way

back to the list.

One PC runner Saifur Rahman Rahmani called the IECC

decision unfair and told Pajhwok Afghan News he was over

26 years of age. Rahmani said he had documents to prove

his claim.

He warned of committing suicide if the IECC did not

recognise his right to contest the April elections. “I will

remain in front of the IECC office until the commission

gives me my right, or I will commit suicide.”

Another PC contender, Rehana Pajohish said she was 26

years old -- a claim proved by her identity card. She

accused the IECC of tampering with the copy of her

identity card.

Pajohish added she had registered a complaint with the

panel to check the record of the statistics department in

Bamyan. But the IECC says it has carefully scrutinised

candidates’ documents.

http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/02/17/iecc-names-19-

disqualified-pc-runners

MAZAR-I-SHARIF (Pajhwok): Chief of Army Staff

Gen. Sher Mohammad Karimi on Monday said

Afghan security forces were capable enough to deal

with the country’s security challenges. Gen. Karimi,

who visited northern provinces to examine security

measures put in place for polling stations, also held

talks with a number of high-ranking security officials.

He told Pajhwok Afghan News there was no critical

security problem for the Afghan National Army

(ANA) soldiers in northern Afghanistan. He said

Afghan forces had improved a lot in terms of skills

and professional ability. The Chief of Army Staff

insisted Afghan forces were competent enough to

maintain sustainable security for the upcoming

presidential and provincial council elections.

However, he said the geographical locations in Faryab

and Badakhshan provinces could pose some

challenges, which he said would be overcome in the

lead up to the April vote. Gen. Karimi said ANA

troops were 95 percent prepared from the prospective

of training and equipment, adding the troops would be

able to maintan security on their own after the interna-

tional forces' withdrawal by this year's end.

http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/02/17/afghan-

forces-capable-protect-polls-gen-karimi

Afghan forces capable to protect polls: Gen. Karimi By Zabihullah Ihsas Feb 17, 2014 - 19:58

Page 7: Pajhwok Afghan News (PAN) Weekly Election Coverage Newsletter

IECC officers asked to show integrity

By Hassan Khitab Feb 18, 2014 - 16:58

Pajhwok Afghan News

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Election Coverage Newsletter

http://www.elections.pajhwok.com http://www.pajhwok.com

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Independent Electoral Com-

plaints Commission (IECC) chief on Tuesday asked

provincial chiefs to discharge their duties efficiently

or face stern action.

Speaking after an oath-taking ceremony, IECC Chair-

man Abdul Sattar Sadat said the newly inducted com-

missioners would be deployed to the provinces within

a week.

As many as 102 commissioners took oath, with three

officers being deployed to each province. The consti-

tutional duty of the IECC is to address complaints

against elections runners and commission members.

Sadat directed the officers to work without any favour

or fear. The commissioners, he acknowledged, were

facing multiple challenges and pressures.

“A commissioner’s fault is not a judge’s fault that

affects a single individual or a family; his error leaves

a negative impact on the entire population. History

will not pardon a commissioner who deliberately fa-

vours a particular contender,” he remarked.

The two-month presidential election campaign started

two weeks ago, but people long been demanding the

opening of IECC provincial offices.

IEC head Ahmad Yousuf Nuristani announced all-out

support to the newly-appointed commissioners and

said: “We will extend all possible cooperation to

IECC commissioners.”

Speaking on the occasion, UN Secretary-General’s

Special Representative for Afghanistan Jan Kubis

said it was a matter of satisfaction that Afghanistan

was heading toward landmark elections.

JALALABAD (Pajhwok): 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).

He said hundreds of religious scholars from various

districts of the province attended the meeting, where they

asked people to participate in the polls.

Turabi added some individuals spread disinformation that

elections were in contravention of Islamic principles, in a

bid to prevent them from participating in the process.

Another religious scholar and participant of the gathering,

Haji Ihsanul Haq Haqqani, said people should vote in

favour of a contender who could ensure rule of law and

better serve the masses.

“Participation in elections is mandatory. Voters should

asses the personalities of contenders and then cast their

votes accordingly,” he stressed.

The process would not be legitimate if people did not take

part in the ballot, he said, adding: “We should exercise the

right to vote which would rid the nation of militancy and

war.”

http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/02/18/masses-urged-take-part-

elections

Masses urged to take part in elections By Mahbob Shah Mahbob Feb 18, 2014 - 11:49

Page 8: Pajhwok Afghan News (PAN) Weekly Election Coverage Newsletter

Rassoul, Ghani assured of support By Pajhwok reporter Feb 18, 2014 - 19:27

Pajhwok Afghan News

Page 8

Election Coverage Newsletter

http://www.elections.pajhwok.com http://www.pajhwok.com

PUL-I-KHUMRI/MAIMANA (Pajhwok): Hundreds of

people on Tuesday gathered in northern Baghlan

province, voicing support to presidential candidate Dr.

Zalmai Rassoul.

A gathering of about 500 people in Baghlan-i-Markazi

district vowed support to Rassoul, a former foreign

minister in the President Karzai Cabinet, in the April

elections.

Syed Mohammad, an ex-jihadi commander, told

Pajhwok Afghan News the gathering coincided with the

opening of a campaign office of Rassoul in the district.

Presidential candidates Dr. Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai, Dr.

Abdullah Abdullah, Qayyum Karzai and Abdul Rab

Rassoul Sayyaf have already opened campaign offices in

Baghlan.

But none of them, except Rassoul, has such offices

outside the provincial capital, Pul-i-Khumri. No

presidential hopeful has so far arrived in Baghlan since

the election campaign began Feb. 2.

Haji Babrak, a Kochi tribe representative, said there

were about 85,000 Kuchi tribesmen, who wanted to vote

for Rassoul.

In northern Faryab province, around 1,000 people held a

gathering in support of Dr. Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai, a

front-line runner.

Link: http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/02/18/rassoul-

ghani-assured-support

JALALABAD (Pajhwok): Presidential candidate Dr.

Abdullah Abdullah on Tuesday promised to rebuild

Nangarhar’s canal system and construct mega hydropower

dams on Kunar and Kama rivers. Abdullah, who finished

second behind President Hamid Karzai in the 2009

elections, told his first-ever campaign rally in in Jalalabad

he would initiate work on small hydropower plants along

the slopes of Spin Ghar mountain. Accompanied by his

running mates, the former foreign minister said that he

would completely overhaul the Behsud Bridge and

reconstruct the Khogyani-Jalalabad, Jalalabad-Torkham

and Jalalabad-Kabul highways, if elected to power. “I will

establish a university in Laghman because it has been a

long-standing demand of the people. I will overhaul the

grand canal project in Nangarhar,” he promised. The rally

was organised at the Sherzai playground, where Wolesi

Jirga member Haji Hazrat Ali urged the participants to vote

for Abdullah in the April elections. A resident of eastern

Laghman province, Rassoul Khan, who attended the rally,

said he would vote for Abdullah. “I have come here on my

own will and I support Abdullah,” he said. Another

participant, Zuhra, told Pajhwok they had been told prior to

the rally that participants would be served lunch and

offered transport fares, but the organisers disappeared after

the rally had ended.

“I did not know for whom the rally is organised, but when I

reached the venue I saw Abdullah,” she said, complaining

she was unable to return home due to lack of money.

The rally addressed by Abdullah was attended by around

7,000 people, making it the largest in Nangarhar since the

election campaign began on Feb. 2. Link: http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/02/18/abdullah-vows-

mega-projects-nangarhar

Abdullah vows mega projects for Nangarhar By Mahbob Shah Mahbob Feb 18, 2014 - 17:47

Page 9: Pajhwok Afghan News (PAN) Weekly Election Coverage Newsletter

Pajhwok Afghan News

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Election Coverage Newsletter

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KABUL (Pajhwok): Forty-four of 248 parliamentarians,

interviewed by Pajhwok Afghan News over the past week,

support front-line presidential runner Dr. Ashraf Ghani

Ahmadzai.

Forty one lawmakers backDr. Zalmai Rassoul while as 39

support Dr. Abdullah Abdullah . Qayyum Karzai, brother

of the incumbent president, is supported by 10 MPs, Prof.

Abdul Rab Rassoul Sayyaf by 17 and Gul Agha Sherzai by

3. But none of the parliamentarians, who spoke to Pajhwok,

voiced their support for Qutbuddin Hilal, Abdul Rahim

Wardak, Daud Sultanzoy, Hidayat Amin Arsala and

Mohammad Nadir Naeem.

BAMYAN CITY (Pajhwok): Presidential candidate Gul

Agha Sherzai, who arrived in central Bamyan province in

connection with his election campaign, on Sunday

promised asphalting 50 kilometres of roads in the

province.

Addressing a gathering arranged by Hezb-i-Wahdat Milli

Islami party in Bamyan City, the former Nangarhar

governor also promised the construction of industrial

parks, vocational schools, development of the tourism

industry and electricity projects.

Sherzai chided Laura Bush for asphalting only two

kilometers of road in Bamyan with US aid, saying he had

blacktopped 2,400 kilometers of roads. The road between

the airport and the Bamyan Township has been asphalted

with American aid.

Sherzai said if he won the April elections, he would

launch reconstruction projects in Bamyan and Daikundi.

“I am famous as bulldozer. When I was the governor of

Nangarhar, I had manged to receive $5,500 million in aid

from donors and spent the money on the province’s

reconstruction.”

Syed Hussain Alami Balkhi, one of Sherzai’s running

mates, said Sherzai had chosen his deputies to be

Mujahid, not seculars returning from the West. Sherzai

also opened his campaign office in Bamyan.

In northern Faryab province, hundreds of Junbish-i-

Islami Party workers staged a rally in support of

Ahmadzai. Dr. Gul Mohammad, one of the rally

organisers, said Junbish workers backed Ahmadzai

because their leader Rashid Dostum was his running

mate.

Link:http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/02/16/sherzai-promises

-uplift-projects-bamyan

Sherzai promises uplift projects for Bamyan By Pajhwok reporter Feb 16, 2014 - 19:11

JALALABAD (Pajhwok): The deputy governor of eastern

Nangarhar province on Saturday underlined the role of

religious scholars in creating awareness among the people

regarding the crucial elections slated for April 5.

Mohammad Hanif Gardiwal expressed the view while

addressing the concluding session of a two-day seminar on

“Peace and Religious Scholars’ Role in Elections,”

attended by Ulema from Kunar, Laghman and Nuristan

provinces.

He said religious scholars should convey the message of

peace from mosques to help ensure greater participation of

male and female voters in the landmark ballot.

Haji Abdul Saboor Tauhidi, a religious scholar from

Nuristan, told Pajhwok Afghan News the seminar would

yield positive results in terms of enhanced awareness

among the people about the elections.

“Religious leaders can play a decisive role in peace

building and creating awareness among the masses about

participation in the polls. It is high time for Ulema to play

their due role so that elections are made a success,” he

added. Link: http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/02/16/ulema-role-

elections-underlined

Ulema role in elections underlined By Mahbob Shah Mahbob Feb 16, 2014 - 16:55

MPs support 3 presidential runners

By Abasin Zaheer Feb 16, 2014 - 16:03

Page 10: Pajhwok Afghan News (PAN) Weekly Election Coverage Newsletter

Pajhwok Afghan News

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Election Coverage Newsletter

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saw Abdullah as a leader who could better address the

challenges facing Afghanistan. Eight senators and 33

assembly members supported Rassoul. The senators are

Rafiullah Gul Afghan, Syed Farrukh Shah Janab, Humaira

Niamat, Rana Tarin, Sara Surkhabi, Arifullah Pashtun,

Mohammad Daud Ghaffari and Najiba Hussaini. Also

lending their weight to Rassoul are Wolesi Jirga members

Mohammad Hashim Mehdi, Fatima Nazari, Jafar

Mehdawi, Ihsan Sahibzada, Sher Wali Wardak, Rahima

Jami, Nisar Ahmad Ghoryani, Mohammad Raza Khushk

Watan Dost, Farida Hamidi, Fariba Kakar, Abdul Qader

Qalatwal, Syed Mohammad Daud, Ghulam Sarwar Faiz,

Hamida Akbari, Abdul Sattar Khawasi, Mohammad Al-

mas Zahid, Samia Aziz, Siddique Ahmad Osmani, Zakia

Sangin, Tahira Mujaddedi, Mohammad Iqbal Safi, Haji

Agha Jan, Saleh Mohammad, Sakhi Mashwani, Mir-

wais Yasini, Syed Ikram, Lailuma Wali Hakami, Di-

lawar Aimaq, Mohammad Arif Shah Jehan, Mohammad

Arif Rahmani, Nafisa Sultani, Yosif Sabir and Hamida

Ahmadzai. Lailuma Wali Hakami, representing Nangarhar

province in the lower house, believed Rassoul could steer

Afghanistan out of crisis because he was an internationally

recognised politician. He could also muster global aid, she

said. Ten Wolesi Jirga members supporting Sayyaf are:

Daud Kalkani, Zamarak Padkhwabi, Anwar Khan

Oryakhel, Izzatullah Atif, Nazir Ahmad Hanafi,

Mohammad Arif Tayyeb, Karamuddin Razazada, Abdul

Sattar Darzabi, Abdul Ahmad Durrani and Allah Nazar

Turkmen. In the Senate, Sayyaf’s backers are: Fazal Hadi

Muslimyar, Rafiullah Haideri, Abdul Hanan Haqyun,

Obaidullah Turkmen, Mohammad Osman Rahmani,

Mukaram Khan Nasiri and Nazar Mohammad Faqiri.

Obaidullah Turkmen threw his weight behind Sayyaf,

saying the candidate had been in Afghanistan through

difficult times. Being a jihadi commander, Sayyaf could

better address the country’s myriad problems, he felt.

Qayyum Karzai is supported by eight Wolesi Jirga

members: Mir Wali, Mohammad Omar Nangyalai, Abdul

Khaliq Bala Karzai, Mullah Syed Mohammad Akhund,

Obaidullah Barakzai, Fathullah Qaisari, Saifura Elkhani,

and Malim Chari. Senators Niamatullah Popal and Syed

Aqa Hussain Hashimi also back him. Senator Malim

hailed Karzai as an experienced economist, who could

resolve Afghanistan’s economic problems. MPs Ustad

Mohammad Akbari, Fakoori Beheshti and Sharifullah

Kamawal are behind Gul Agha Sherzai, the former

Nangarhar governor. Akbari said Sherzai had proved as

governor that he could rebuild the country. Of the 248

MPs interviewed, 52 Wolesi Jirga members and 38

senators said they had not yet decided on supporting any

presidential aspirant. Link:

http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2014/02/16/most-mps-back-

ghani-future-president

Last week, Pajhwok asked Wolesi Jirga and Meshrano

Jirga members about which candidate they supported for

the presidency. In line with their constitutional structure,

the Wolesi Jirga has 249 members and the Meshrano Jirga

102. But currently, the Wolesi Jirga strength stands at 246,

having lost three of its members -- Abdul Mutalib Baig,

Mohammad Hashim Watanwal and Shahnaz Himmati.

Their replacements are yet to be notified. Senators Suleman

Yari and Maulvi Arsala Rahmani have also lost their lives,

but their replacements have already been introduced to the

upper house. Pajhwok did all it could to ascertain the views

of all 348 lawmakers, but it was able to contact 250 of

them. Thirty-six of them, including eight senators,

supported Ahmadzai. They include Topeka Patman,

Shinkai Karokhel, Ramazan Jumazada, Farkhanda Zahra

Naderi, Mohammad Wali Alizai, Abdul Jabbar Qahraman,

Mohammad Naeem Hamidzai, Asadullah Sadati, Sima

Joyenda, Ruqiya Nail, Naqibullah Faiq, Bashir Ahmad

Tinj, Inayatullah Babar, Aziz Jalis, Syed Anwar Sadat,

Nadir Khan Katawazai, Sahira Sharif, Humayun Humayun,

Liaqat Ali Babakarkhel, Nawab Mangal, Mohammad

Ibrahim Ghakhtalai, Sidiqa Mubarez, Abdul Zahir Qadeer,

Faridoon Momand, Arin Yoon, Syed Daud Naderi, Syed

Mansoor Naderi, Gulalai Noor Safi, Nasima Niazi,

Mohammad Ali Alizada, Chaman Shah Itimadi, Khuda Dad

Irfani, Shah Gul Rezayee, Shakiba Hashimi, Gul Padshah

Majidi and Najia Babakarkhel. Similarly, the senator

supporting Ahmadzai are: Sibghatullah Mujaddedi, Saleha

Maharzada, Siffatullah Haqmal, Abdul Baqi Baryal, Farida

Kochai, Haji Lutfullah Baba, Mohammad Ismail Munshi

and Mohammad Amin Ahmadi.Wolesi Jirga member from

Baghlan province Syed Mansoor Naderi called Ghani an

intelligent and decisive man, with the ability to build a

brilliant future for the country. 39 public representatives,

including eight senators, are supportive of Abdullah. They

are: Mohammad Yunus Qanuni, Abdul Hafiz Mansoor,

Syed Ali Kazimi, Allah Gul Mujahid, Ahmad Behzad,

Samiullah Samim, Mohammad Sarwar Osmani, Qazi

Abdul Rahim, Khair Mohammad, Abdur Rahman Shaidani,

Ali Ahmad Shahidi, Mir Rahman Rahmani, Dr. Zahir

Sadat, Hazrat Ali, Pir Bakhash Gardiwal, Abdul Ghaffar,

Asmatullah Shinwari, Abdul Latif Pidram, Syed Ikram

Masoomi, Mohammad Azim Mohseni, Mohammad Abda,

Alam Khan Azadi, Ahmad Shah Ramazan, Abbas Abrahim

zada, Mohammad Ishaq Rahguzar, Asadullah Sharifi,

Abdur Rahman Rahmani, Mohammad Farhad Azimi,

Saifura Naizai, Breshna Rabi and Ali Akbar Qasimi. In the

upper house, Abdullah enjoys the backing of Habibur

Rahman, Abdul Sattar Iffat, Abdul Wali Raji, Lailuma

Ahmadi, Haji Majeed, Maulvi Mahmood Danishjo, Maulvi

Mohammad Faizi and Noor Mohammad Kafil Noori.

Mohammad Sarwar Osmani, a Wolesi Jirga member from

Farah province,