As the preparations for the second round of elections in Afghanistan run against time, the presidential candidates are busy building coalitions and strenghtening their vote banks by traditional means of taking national elders into confidence. On the other side of the story, incumbent President Hamid Karzai’s only and arch-rival in the second round of Afghan elections to be held on November 7, Dr. Abdullah Abdullah has come up with a list of conditionss. He has demanded the suspension of three ministers and the removal of Independent Election Commission Chief as his condition for his going to the second round of elections.
Abdullah Abdullah has demanded the suspension (from duty) of Haneef Atmar (Interior Minister), Farooq Wardak (Education Minister), Asadullah Khalid (Head of Ministry of Borders), Jeelani Popal (Head of Local Governments Department). Abdullah alleged these Ministers of non-impartiality and has asked for their suspension from their duties on the Election Day.
Abdullah Abdullah said that these Ministers invite the servicemen of departments under their orders and influential elders for so-called work related issues but in reality they are ‘ordered’ to support a specific candidate in the Elections.
He categorically nominated the ministry of education that has better approaches to the provinces and villages, for using its resources for supporting a specific candidate.
He also criticized the role of National Television (RTA) for providing more coverage to the incumbent President. He maintained that the National TV gave more coverage to the sitting President more than all the other candidates.
The only Candidate against Karzai in the second round, Abdullah said that the resources of three other ministries namely Ministry of Information, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Hajj and Religious Affairs are being used to the benefits of Hamid Karzai.
Mr. Abdullah harshly criticized Azizullah Ludin, Head of Afghan Independent Election Commission, and stressed for his removal from the post. He said, “Ludin didn’t remain impartial in the first round of elections and even tried to deviate the findings of Electoral Complaints Commission. “
He said that he would submit these conditions to the relevant institutions and will wait for its implementation and a “clear-cut response” till the 31st of October (9 Aqrab, the current Afghan Month). He, however, didn’t say anything of what he would do if these demands/conditions are not fulfilled. He did stress that he has put forth these conditions only for a transparent, free and justified elections.