Kabir Panahi not referred to AGO, finds Pajhwok

KABUL (Pajhwok): Pajhwok Afghan News has found as baseless reports that the Independent Election Commission (IEC)’s information technology general director has been referred to the Attorney General Office (AGO).

Two days earlier, Radio Salam Watandar and Subh-e-Kabul Newspaper reported that Kabir Panahi, General Director Information Technology for IEC, has been referred to the AGO.

A similar report was disseminated by Subh-e-Kabul Newspaper that said IEC information technology general director has been referred to the AGO.

Radio Azadi, however, reported that the IEC has objected to a recent decision of the Kabul Independent Electoral Complaints Commission (IECC).

But Pajhwok Afghan News gas learnt that Panahai had not been referred to the AGO and a formal letter from Kabul IECC says the AGO should question the IEC Information Technology Department regarding technical problems in biometric devices on the polling day in Kabul province.

Meanwhile, IECC  spokesperson Zarmina Kakar told Pajhwok Afghan News that the Kabul IECC has no authority to refer the IEC information technology director to the AGO.

In line with policy and procedures, provincial IECC officers could register complains and issue letters.

Zabihullah Sadaat, acting head of IEC media office, said that the Kabul’s IECC has no right to refer their IT head to the AGO.

Panahi acknowledged receiving a letter from Kabul IECC in which their department was referred to the AGO.  He said the letter was against law because the provincial IECC office had no such authority.

Panahi said he had been newly appointed to the post and there was no case against him, under which he should be referred to the AGO.

AGO Spokesman Jamshid Rasouli said that they had not received any letter regarding the referral of the IEC officer to them.

It is worth mentioning that 4,512 complaints have been registered with the IEC regarding September 28 polls.

Pajhwok Afghan News in its new style of reporting investigates propaganda disseminated regarding election and after its investigation shows the people that published propaganda falls under which categories of the following:Correct, half correct, wrong, half wrong.

After investigation, it emerged this story falls under incorrect category and media outlets reported it in haste.

Behishta Arghand

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