The current situation in the country is not suitable for the presidential elections, said Mohammad Ismail Khan, a former Jihadi leader and prominent member of Jamiat-e-Islami party, suggesting it will be better to resume the peace talks.
Mr. Khan, who has served as minister of energy and water under former President Hamid Karzai’s government, said the country will be driven into a new crisis if the elections are held within the next two weeks.
There is the possibility of manipulating the elections, Mr. Khan said, adding that a number of political parties and influential politicians have agreed on the formation of a new political movement named “Majma-e-Sulh Wa Rahaee Afghanistan”, which literally means the Assembly of Peace and Salvation of Afghanistan”.
“Parties and personalities were invited there. Following discussions, it was decided to form Majma-e-Sul Wa Rehaee Afghanistan (the Assembly of Peace and Salvation of Afghanistan), a movement which will seek plans for getting the country from the crisis,” Mr. Khan said.
He said they hope the peace process is resumed in the view of the two weeks ahead of the elections so that “we can move towards elections, not towards the elections which will impede peace”.
Some members of mainstream political parties said insecurity in parts of the country and the closure of some main highways are alarming ahead of the presidential elections scheduled for September 28.
“According to our information, more than 400 polling centers will remain shut and another 600 centers are facing security threats. The government should clarify how it will transfer materials to these centers,” said Noor Rahman Akhlaqi, member of Jamiat-e-Islami party
“In a situation where the roads are closed in many provinces, the government’s attention should be focused on how to reopen these roads. It should launch operations and provide security to major highways so that the people can go and vote,” said Abdullah Qarloq, member of Junbish Milli party.
But officials from the Independent Election Commission said that 5,373 centers have been considered for the election day.
“At least 431 centers are under serious threats, some of which will remain closed, but the security forces have pledged to provide security to them so that election materials can reach there,” said Habib-Ur-Rahman Nang, head of the secretariat of the Election Commission.