At least 8,175 people wrote an exam on Thursday as part of a new hiring process for 700 procurement positions in 43 government agencies.

The exam was held at Kabul University and Kabul Polytechnic University.

Nader Naderi, head of the Independent Administrative Reform and Civil Service Commission, said the individuals will be hired based on merit and not according to their relations with influential or political figures.

It was the second exam held by the commission.

“Previously, those who were appointed were somehow linked with influential and political figures. But this transparent process will not force anyone to be grateful and they will only be appointed based on their merit,” he said.

“The results of this initiative is a big step towards fighting the endemic corruption and improving governance,” said Faizullah Zaki, acting minister of labor and social affairs.

According to the Independent Administrative Reform and Civil Service Commission, the lack of capacity is one of the main reasons for underspending of budget by government institutions – every fiscal year.

“I assure you that this is a transparent process,” said Latif Roshan, acting minister of higher education.

“Those who pass the exam will go through training and capacity building processes,” said Suhail Kakar, media officer for the commission.

From 8,175 individuals who participated in the exam, only 470 of them were women.