Members of Parliament from the Lower House asked President Hamid Karzai and the international community to be impartial during the election process urging that they respect the votes of the Afghan people, on Wednesday.

In emphasis to their request they ask that the Independent Election Commission (IEC) stop the counting of votes until the future of IEC's Secretariat, Zia-ul-Haq Amarkhail, is cleared.

Although, a number of legislators demanded that Amarkhail be dismissed from his position and until he is not revoked of his title, the counting process must be halted.

"The guy who is under question is in charge of the counting process," MP Nahid Farid said. "These votes are not acceptable. Counting must stop."

MP Shekiba Hashimi demands that "Karzai stay neutral and that the international community respect democracy and the people's votes."

Nevertheless, other legislators have emphasized that pre-mature claims must be avoided about the elections.

"Pre-mature speculation must stop; we must wait and keep impartiality," Speaker of the Lower House, Abdul Rauf Ibrahimi, said. "The IEC and the Electoral Complaints Commission (ECC) must respect the votes of the people because we want a positive outcome from their votes."

Parwan MP Zakia Sangeen asserted to her fellow delegation that they "not represent the candidates, but represent the people and defend their votes."

"Pre-mature speculations must be avoided because it creates brawls and apprehension," she added. "Pre-mature claims are not in the interest of the country; it will harm our nation."

MPs said that overseeing of the electoral bodies is very important and must be monitored closely.

LINK: https://www.ansarpress.com/english/2222

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