Photo By OR-5 Mark Doran | Maj. Gen. Abdul Hamid, Commander 205th Hero Corps and Brigadier General Mohammad Rasul...... read more read more
NILI, Afghanistan - Nili, the remote and idyllic provincial capital of Daykundi, hosted a delegation of Afghan and International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) representatives on November 9 to plan for the 2014 elections.
Security and voter registration were among the issues discussed during the conference attended by Habibullah Radmanish, Daykundi’s Deputy Provincial Governor, Maj. Gen. Abdul Hamid, Commander 205th Hero Corps and newly promoted Maj. Gen. Abdul Raziq, Kandahar’s Chief of Police.
Located in the heart of Afghanistan, Nili lies in a small valley surrounded by the snow-capped mountains of the Hindu Kush.
The town has a predominately Hazara population and its development, while progressive, is limited by its isolation.
Col Wade Stothart, Commander Combined Team Uruzgan (CTU), who traveled with the delegation, says although Daykundi is one of Afghanistan’s more peaceful provinces, it is not without its challenges.
“Daykundi is a young province; it was formerly a part of Uruzgan before the Afghan government annexed it in 2004,” he said.
“The meeting instigated by Maj-Gen Hamid and facilitated by ISAF’s rotary wing assets was a positive step as the commander of 205th Hero Corps tours his area of operations to confirm the security provisions in advance of the upcoming elections.”
Ensuring Afghans are registered to vote for the 2014 Presidential and Provincial Council elections is a top priority for the Independent Election Commission (IEC) of Afghanistan.
But Daykundi presents the IEC with some unique challenges.
In the south of the province, Gizab district voters have protested against being included in the Daykundi count instead of Uruzgan’s majority Pashtun electorate, which has stunted voter registration in the area.
In the north, residents are concerned roads will remain impassable at election time because of the heavy Spring snow pack.
Maj-Gen Hamid told the Daykundi officials he understood security was a priority for their people and raised the possible deployment of soldiers from the 4th Brigade 205th Corps to assist local forces in Kajran and Gizab during the elections.
He noted the 4th Brigade had quelled recent unrest in the district, encouraging residents to return to their homes and allowing the roads to reopen.
Maj-Gen Raziq offered logistical assistance to the Daykundi police with extra equipment, weapons and ammunition.
Deputy Governor Radmanish thanked the Kandahar based security officials for their offers of election support, saying it would free up his local forces at a critical time.
Col Stothart was reassured by the cooperation the resulted from the meeting.
“Election security measures for Daykundi are proceeding well,” he said.
“The police are very professional and well organised.
“I am very encouraged by the cross-pillar coordination between the Afghan National Army, the Afghan National Police and the National Directorate of Security, linking with the provincial administrations and the IEC for planning and securing the elections.
“The meeting was also an opportunity for the Afghan officials to reiterate the importance of security, voter turn-out and fair and transparent elections in order for the Afghan people to elect the government it deserves and continue its progressive path.”
| Date Taken: | 11.09.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 11.17.2013 03:13 |
| Story ID: | 116875 |
| Location: | NILI, AF |
| Web Views: | 222 |
| Downloads: | 4 |
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