The Stability and Partnership election team led by Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah in a statement on Thursday said that based on the Constitution the term of the National Unity Government (NUG) has ended and that the presidential candidates and political parties should talk to resolve the disagreements raised in this regard.
The team said the Constitution has clearly mentioned the government’s tenure and that the issues raised by other candidates need to be discussed.
“The Stability and Partnership team sees the questions about the continuation of National Unity Government negotiable and agrees with part of concerns raised by presidential candidates and political parties,” the statement reads.
The team also called on the political parties and candidates not to let the current disagreements on NUG’s tenure worsen the situation.
“Taking into account the concerns about the current situation, we want the political parties and presidential candidates to discuss the issue and does not let the disagreements negatively impact the country’s stability and security because the continuation of the disagreements will worsen this fragile situation,” the statement read.
Asadullah Saadati, Abdullah’s running mate for second vice president said the authorities of the National Unity Government leaders should be “limited” and that it should be made sure that government facilities will not be used in election campaign.
“So far, millions of Afghanis have been taken out of government treasury by making different excuses such as youths’ consensus, women’s consensus, for peace, peace Jirga and also money divisions have been made by First Lady by using different issues as excuses,” said Saadati.
“Our politicians do not stand by their words and every day they say a new thing. I believe that Abdullah has thought that his remarks on the first day were not appropriate and he should make new remarks to join with the convoy (of candidates),” political analyst Ahmad Saeedi said.
Based on the Constitution, NUG’s term was ended on May 22, but in April the Supreme Court extended the incumbent government’s term until the presidential elections scheduled for September 28.
“Our point of view is that the President (Ashraf Ghani), influential political parties’ heads and the candidates sit together and make a final decision,” said Humayun Jarir, a member of Peace and Islamic Justice election ticket led by Gulbuddin Hekmatyar.
