Afghan official: Delayed elections set for Oct. 15

Published January 18, 2016

An Afghan official says parliamentary and district council elections, originally scheduled to be held last June, will be held on Oct. 15 this year.

Ahmad Yousuf Nuristani, head of the Independent Election Commission said the much-delayed date conforms with Afghan law.

The current parliament was extended beyond its five-year term by President Ashraf Ghani after politicians were unable to agree on a date

The delay coincided with concerns about security for voters, as the Taliban insurgency has become more ferocious in the year since the international combat mission ended.

It also followed a bitter presidential election that went to two rounds before Ghani and his rival Abdullah Abdullah agreed to a U.S.-brokered power-sharing deal.

Abdullah is now chief executive in a unity government that has publicly committed to electoral reform.

URL

https://www.foxnews.com/world/afghan-official-delayed-elections-set-for-oct-15