The Independent Election Commission (IEC) says around four million Afghans turned out on the first day of legislative election and voted for candidates of their choice. Speaking at a press conference in Kabul on Monday, IEC chairman Abdul Bade Sayyad said figures obtained by the commission from different provinces of the country as of Monday afternoon showed that around four million voters cast their ballots on Saturday alone as the numbers of the second were not still finalized. He said the numbers of the second day and holding election in Kandahar province on next Saturday could further increase the number.
“The higher turnout disproved the allegations that IEC numbers regarding registered voters were not genuine,” said Sayyad.
Commenting on reports of irregularities and flaws in the democratic process, IEC chief said that a special committee has been established to probe complaints and allegations, adding that IEC is committed to send the candidates with clean votes to Wolesi Jirga.
“The people trusted us and we won’t break their trust,” he said.
The IEC chief pledged to thoroughly investigate complaints regarding fraud in cooperation with Independent Electoral Complaints Commission, adding the rigged votes will be announced null and void. According to him, another committee has been tasked to look into the number of polling stations where biometric devices were not used.
“The committee will find out the centers where biometric devices were not used or did not function,” said Sayyad.
