Afghan officials said Thursday that Presidential elections in the country stand postponed and would now be held in August. The officials attribute the decision to more time required to prepare for polls, which will see President Hamid Karzai seek re-elecion for the top office.
The decision, to postpone polls, apparently contravenes the country’s Constitution and raises questions over the legitimacy of what could be President Karzai’s final months in office.
Karzai in stark contrast to his predecessors is a key New Delhi ally and has sided with India on several counts, including the attack on the Indian Mission in Kabul and the recent terror strikes in the Indian commercial capital.
Azizullah Ludin, the chairman of the Independent Election Commission, said his office had decided to put off the voting until Aug. 20, which would give election workers more time to register candidates and set up voting machinery, and soldiers more time to bring dozens of chaotic districts under control.
Ludin said the new date would allow the presidential election to take place under more favorable weather.
The Afghan Constitution states that the presidential term expires on May 22. and elections, the Constitution says, must be held 30 to 60 days before the end of the term.
Citing the Constitution, Opposition leaders say they would stop recognizing Karzai’s authority after May 22. They called on the United Nations and Western governments to help them appoint a temporary president after Karzai’s term formally expires.
The development comes amid media reports that, for several weeks now, have suggested that Karzai may be on his way out of power and any controversies on the matter may see an interim government, blessed by the US, put in place in Kabul.
The decision, to postpone polls, apparently contravenes the country’s Constitution and raises questions over the legitimacy of what could be President Karzai’s final months in office.
Karzai in stark contrast to his predecessors is a key New Delhi ally and has sided with India on several counts, including the attack on the Indian Mission in Kabul and the recent terror strikes in the Indian commercial capital.
Azizullah Ludin, the chairman of the Independent Election Commission, said his office had decided to put off the voting until Aug. 20, which would give election workers more time to register candidates and set up voting machinery, and soldiers more time to bring dozens of chaotic districts under control.
Ludin said the new date would allow the presidential election to take place under more favorable weather.
The Afghan Constitution states that the presidential term expires on May 22. and elections, the Constitution says, must be held 30 to 60 days before the end of the term.
Citing the Constitution, Opposition leaders say they would stop recognizing Karzai’s authority after May 22. They called on the United Nations and Western governments to help them appoint a temporary president after Karzai’s term formally expires.
The development comes amid media reports that, for several weeks now, have suggested that Karzai may be on his way out of power and any controversies on the matter may see an interim government, blessed by the US, put in place in Kabul.
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