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| Afghanistan |
| Afghanistan to vote on Sept. 18 for first parliament |
| 2005-03-21 |
| Kabul - Afghanistan's first parliamentary election will be held on September 18, Bismillah Besmil, chairman of the Joint Electoral Management Body (JEMB), announced on Sunday. Voting for the 249-member parliament would be on a one-vote-non- transferable basis, and the JEMB had asked for 148.66 million dollars to conduct the entire exercise. With the announcement, the role of the political parties' direct participation through candidates has been ruled out. Besmil said he hoped the funds would be made available as soon as possible. "The announcement comes with the arrival of Nawroz, the first day of the new year in Afghan calendar. It is a good omen. I hope and believe it will carry the message of prosperity, happiness and returning of stability in to the country," Besmil said. The official said representatives of Afghan parliament's lower house and provincial councils would be elected through "free, general, direct, and secret" elections. The dates for District Council polls would be finalized once the elected Wolesi Jirga had resolved the outstanding issues relating to the formation, recognition, and boundaries of districts. Besmil explained that the body's decision to hold the elections in September was solely due to technical consideration, and government authorities and all political parties were also consulted. "It's the wish and will of our people to have their voice heard on the future of their country," Besmil said. |
| Posted by:Steve White |