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1st LD Writethru: Afghan parliamentary polls slated for Oct. 15: election commission

Xinhua, January 18, 2016 Adjust font size:

Afghanistan will hold its third parliamentary elections since the end of the Taliban rule in 2001, on Oct. 15 this year, chairman of the country's election body announced on Monday.

"Based on article 43 of Afghan electoral law, the Afghan Independent Election Commission (IEC) today announces Mizan 24, 1395 as the date for the parliamentary and district council elections," IEC Chairman Ahmad Yousuf Nuristani told reporters.

Mizan is the seventh month in the Persian calendar, which is used by the Afghan government. And Mizan 24 falls on Oct. 15, 2016.

According to Afghan laws the elections for the Wolesi Jirga or Lower House of Afghan parliament had to be held in early last year. But the government failed to hold the polls due to insecurity and political problems over reforming the country's electoral laws and election system.

Urging the government and security forces to provide security for the voters and candidates, Nuristani said that the IEC will announce the election timetable in near future.

The first parliamentary election in the post-Taliban country was held on Sept. 18, 2005 while the second parliamentary polls took place on Sept. 18, 2010.

Members of the 249-seat Wolesi Jirga will be elected to serve a five-year term. Endit