Candidates Stuck On Chief Executive Debate

10 years ago | Posted in: Afghanistan, Latest Politics News | 688 Views

Despite the progress that has been seen in negotiations between the two presidential candidates, their representatives have said the key disagreement that has made a final resolution elusive is over the powers of the Chief Executive.

According to individuals close to the negotiations that have been taking place this week, Abdullah Abdullah has demanded that the chief executive position serve as the head of the cabinet.

However, Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai’s team has rejected that demand and maintained that to do so would be in violation of the Afghan Constitution and the original agreement made between the candidates with the help of U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry at the beginning of August.

“The Abdullah Abdullah campaign team wants CEO to be head of the cabinet as well and this demand is against the constitution and also against the agreement of both candidates in the presence of U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry,” said Tahir Zahir, a spokesman for Ashraf Ghani.

But Abdullah’s side has argued the move, which was one facet of the national unity government deal the committee appointed by the candidates could not resolve earlier this month, would in fact be constitutional. With the candidates scheduled to meet on Saturday, Abdullah’s team seemed optimistic that the dispute would soon be to rest.

“Our demands are not illegal, as Dr. Abdullah has said, the CEO must be given further authorities,” Abdullah spokesman Said Fazel Agha Sancharaki said on Saturday.

Abdullah’s people have also derided the continuation of the audit and ballot invalidation process while the negotiations are taking place. Both candidates withdrew their representatives from the audit center at the beginning of the week.

Officials from the United Nations, U.S. and European Union have met with the candidates to try to resolve their differences. President Hamid Karzai as well has sat down with them to try and end their stalemate.

The Presidential Palace has been vocal about its desire to hold the inauguration for the new president by September 2. But with the candidates still far apart over the issue of the Chief Executive, it seems unlikely the election will reach its conclusion by then.

Tolonews

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