Kabul, Jan 24 (DPA) Afghanistan’s election commission said Sunday that it had to postpone parliamentary elections from May to September due to insufficient funds and security arrangements.
“The decision was made after consultations with national and international authorities,” Fazel Ahmad Manawi, a senior commissioner for Independent Election Commission told a press conference in Kabul.
“Due to lack of budget, security uncertainties, logistical challenges… the IEC has decided to conduct the Wolosi Jirga (lower house of parliament) elections on 18th of September 2010,” he said.
Manawi said lack of foreign funding was a chief reason to postpone the polls from the original May 22 date. The cost of the elections is estimated at 120 million dollars.
“The international donors pledged the money, but could not provide it on time,” he said.
