Election Watchdogs Blast NUG For Delay In Reforms

A number of electoral watchdogs on Tuesday blasted the National Unity Govement (NUG) for the delay in bringing reforms to the electoral system, saying that they are disappointed about this.

"We are disappointed about the delay in electoral reforms and we still think that intra-govement differences have resulted in this problem," Shah Mahmoud Mal, a member of Election Watch Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, head of Afghanistan Civil Society Elections Network (ACSEN), Jandad Spinghar, said: "I think bringing reforms to election [systems] does not need a special budget; what it needs is a will and action. The NUG's legitimacy will be undermined if this process is delayed further."

The Presidential Palace meanwhile spoke of efforts being done to bring reforms to electoral bodies.

"Govement is committed to bringing reforms to the electoral system. The Election Commissions' Selection Committee has officially started its activity and the president's decree on electoral reforms will be sent to parliament in the near future," said the president's deputy spokesman, Shah Husain Murtazawi.

The remarks by the electoral watchdogs come after the NUG has faced a barrage of criticism recently over what critics claim is continued delays in bringing reforms to the electoral system and electoral bodies.