Electoral Violations Will be Dealt Independently and Free of Any Political Considerations

Electoral Violations Will be Dealt Independently and Free of Any Political Considerations

Saranpoh Mohammad Farid Hamidi made this statement in an Attorney General’s Office (AGO) High Council meeting.

On Sunday, December 19, 2016, High Council Meeting of AGO held by Saranpoh Mohammad Farid Hamidi, Attorney General (AG) of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, with participation of  members of AGO High Council; Pohanmal Maliha Hassan, Commissioner of Independent Election Commission, and Ghulam Dastagir Hedayat, Commissioner of Electoral Complaints Commission.  

Welcoming the Commissioners of the Independent Elections Commission and Electoral Complaints Commission, Saranpoh Mohammad Farid Hamidi said, “Selecting and trusting two of the AGO authorities for a decisive national process by the government’s leadership demonstrates capacity of the AGO.”

The Attorney General appreciated performance of Pohanmal Maliha Hassan, former Deputy of AGO in Elimination of Violence against Women, Juvenile violations and Human Rights Support and Ghulam Dastagir Hedayat, former Director of AGO Scrutiny and Research Department.   The AG continued, “Currently, electoral crimes are very well explained in Election Law of Afghanistan and addressing these crimes requires coordination and cooperation between AGO and Electoral Commissions (IEC and ECC). They should preserve their independence besides establishing coordination between these offices in the future programs. The Attorney General added that although an election is a political process, AGO would address all potential violations of the process independently and free of political considerations.

While appreciating the AGO leadership, Pohanmal Maliha Hassan, a newly appointed IEC Commissioner said, “I am determined and committed to serve the people of Afghanistan. I will always utilize my abilities and defend the rights of the Afghan people.”

Meanwhile, Ghulam Dastagir Hedayat, a newly appointed ECC Commissioner, appreciated AGO for its cooperation and said, “In fact, the AGO has established my reputation. AGO has been a training center for me. I am strongly determined to serve my people.”

 The meeting concluded with the AGO Vocational Training Institute explaining its work procedures to members of the High Council and received some corrective feedback from participants.