IEC Calls for Media Impartiality in Elections

KABUL: (MEP) – Media must remain impartial during the election process and provide equal opportunity to the candidates during debates, the Independent Election Commission (IEC)’s media commission said on Wednesday. The commission suggested that the election contenders cooperate with media outlets during campaigns.

The media commission warned that if the presidential candidates and media violate the rules, they would face legal action and be referred to the Electoral Complaints Commission (ECC).

“We will evaluate the complaints filed against candidates and media outlets and direct them to the ECC for action,” deputy head of the IEC media commission, Hashmatollah Radfar, stated.

“Some of the candidates were invited for debates, so the others should also be invited. Media must not have a discriminatory approach; we strongly demand that the media outlets not violate the procedure,” head of IEC media commission, Farida Nekzad, said.

According to the media commission, the concerned organs would assess the presidential candidates and media outlets’ programs on a weekly basis. Violations would result in legal action.

In January, Nai (Supporting Open Media in Afghanistan) requested that the IEC’s guidelines for media be reviewed and revised. Nai has already made recommendations to the IEC in this regard, outlining the protocol for Afghan media’s coverage of the elections and asking for modifications in certain article