The Joint Electoral Management Body (JEMB) is pleased to announce that elections for the Wolesi Jirga and provincial councils will be held on Sunday, 18 September 2005.
The JEMB, after consulting with the political parties and governmental authorities, came to the decision to hold the polling on 18 September 2005. It will provide Afghans the opportunity to choose their representatives to the lower house of the parliament (Wolesi Jirga) and provincial councils through free, general, direct, and secret elections.
In view of the technical obstacles to holding District Council elections this year, the date for those elections will be established once the elected Wolesi Jirga has resolved the outstanding issues relating to the formation, recognition, and boundaries of districts.
"The announcement comes with the arrival of Nawroz (the first day of the new year in Afghan Calendar)," said Besmillah Besmil, Chairman of the JEMB. "It is a good omen. I hope and believe it will carry the message of prosperity, happiness and returning of stability in to the country," he added.
Mr. Besmil explained that the JEMB decision to hold the elections on 18 September 2005 has solely been made due to technical consideration.
"There were conflicting views among those we consulted. Some of them were suggesting an early date for the elections, while others were calling for its postponement to a much later date." Mr. Besmil remarked.
According to the Electoral law, the JEMB has to consult the government authorities and political parties that are registered with the Ministry of Justice prior to determining the election date.
On 9 October 2004, Afghanistan held the first democratic presidential election in its history. Initially it was expected that Wolesi Jirga and provincial council elections would take place at the same time as the Presidential Election in 2004, but due to technical reasons these elections were postponed.
"It's the wish and will of our people to have their voice heard on the future of their country," Mr. Besmil concluded. |
