Parliamentary polls not possible in present circumstances: Massoud

KABUL (Pajhwok): Former presidential advisor on tribal affairs Shehzada Massoud on Sunday said the govement could not hold the long-delayed parliamentary and district council elections in its self-declared timeframe.

The Independent Election Commission had set an Oct. 15 date for holding the parliamentary and district council elections.

President Ashraf Ghani a few days ago directed the authorities conceed to make preparations for the long due elections.

But the former advisor to ex-president Hamid Karzai said holding transparent elections in the current circumstance was not possible.

Massoud told Pajhwok Afghan News during an interview that until comprehensive security was not ensured and a proper environment was not created for voting, the parliamentary and district council elections were impossible.

He said the govement with hollow statements and aouncements wanted to deceive the masses. He said the legitimacy of the unity govement was nearing an end because under the unity govement agreement a loya jirga was to be called into session within two years, but no preparations in this regard could be seen.

Shehzada Massoud urged all political parties and civil society leaders to join hands for steering the country out of its current crises and convening an inclusive loya jirga.

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