Press release of: Alliance of observing institutions for election transparency

The delay in holding the upcoming presidential election is in contradiction with Article 61 of the Constitution and Article 104 of the Electoral Law, that responsibility of its violation goes to the election commission and the government. The alliance of observing institutions for election transparency has concerns about this delay, and consider it as a great damage to Afghanistan's nascent democracy, as well as public confidence in the electoral process, rule of law, democracy, and election holder institutions in the country. The Alliance of Observing Institutions for Election Transparency Election believes that in the existence of the political commitment of the National Unity Government and the management capacity and competence of the Election Commission in regards with the parliamentary elections, the electoral reform program, in terms of timeframe, for the upcoming election was possible to be carried out, and the elections to be held at its designated time. But, unfortunately, the recent parliamentary elections have recorded another experience of failure in history of election in the country. Although the alliance of observing institutions for election transparency is not in favor of any kind of violation of law, but if this delay is effective in accordance of article 104 of the Electoral Law which states (in case security situations, natural disasters and other similar conditions make impossible the principle of general and fair representation in holding elections and or undermine the credibility of the electoral process; the elections shall be upon the proposal of the commission and endorsement of the committee, comprised of the head and members of the National Security Council, chairmen of the two houses of the Parliament, chief justice of the Supreme Court, and chairman of the Independent Commission of Oversight of Implementation of the Constitution of Afghanistan be postponed from the specific date for a period of up to four months.) and accompany the following modifications could be somehow justified.