A footage, widely circulated on social media, shows a group of angry mob destroying ballot boxes which were aimed at electing Takhar province delegates for the Grand Consultative Jirga on Peace, which is an assembly of almost 2,500 who will decide on the future path towards peace in Afghanistan.
The Jirga has been scheduled for the end of this month.
In other provinces, the Jirga nominees have accused local governments of “manipulating” the election process.
“The way for corruption has already been paved. We saw the people voting multiple times,” claimed Haseeb Madani, a nominee for Jirga in Herat.
Herat officials said the procedure has been given to them by the central government based on which the list will be finalized by relevant officials in the center of the province.
“This guidance came from the center (Kabul). Even the number of those who will get votes are certified inside the city,” said Monisa Hassanzada, deputy governor of Herat.
Some activists in Kabul said the “irregularities” in the selection of Jirga delegates has created concerns among them.
“No election has been done for the 10 delegates who will represent the civil society,” said Najibullah Habibi, a civil society activist in Kabul.
In reaction to the reports, one member of the organizing committee of the peace Jirga said the credibility of the reports will be assessed.
“Governors have been given the authority to monitor the process of selection of the members. Provincial officials have also been given the authority to monitor the process and assure us about the transparently of the elections based on the accepted regulations,” said Ezatullah Pezhand, member of the peace Jirga’s organizing committee.
According to officials, 1,300 delegates have been finalized so far.
