Afghan elections to be
delayed beyond September
KABUL - Elections in Afghanistan won't be
held in September despite President Hamid Karzai's
pledge, said The Associated Press on Thursday.
The news service reported
that wrangling among officials and political parties is
delaying the process that would set the date for
historic general elections.
Holding national elections
is an important milestone in the plans for rebuilding
the war-torn country.
Afghan law dictates that
elections be set at least 90 days in advance. Friday,
then, is the deadline for setting a Sept. 30 vote.
Farooq Wardak, a senior
member of the country's election management body, told
AP that a decision wouldn't be reached by Friday. An
agreement might come next week, he said.
Karzai has vowed repeatedly
to hold the elections in September.
Violence in several regions
of the country has been on the rise, often targeting
election workers.
There are also concerns
that warlords plan to intimidate voters in an effort to
solidify their power.
