ACCI will organize the 2nd nationwide elections to elect a board of directors for the Chamber’s 21 provincial branches in September and October.
On Tuesday, July 19th at the Independent Elections Commission (IEC) headquarters, Mr. Mohammad Qurban Haqjo, CEO of ACCI and Mr. Fazil Ahmad Manawi, Head of IEC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to facilitate the election process. Based on the MoU, IEC will organize and monitor the elections in accordance with the prescribed schedule.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by ACCI Board members Mr. Azaraksh Hafizi, Mr. Shirin Agh Sakhi, Mr. Sadulla Haqyar and Mr. Jan Mohammad Turkmani.
Mr. Manawi reiterated the role of IEC and added, “In accordance with Article 156 of the Constitution, IEC shall organize and monitor all nationwide elections in the country. We appreciate that ACCI respects the Constitution and consulted with IEC on these elections. Accordingly, we will assist ACCI carry out the elections. The Chamber conducts its activities based on the mandates of the law and the upcoming elections further validates ACCI’s adherence to the legal principle governing their activities.”
The Bylaws of ACCI’s Provincial Board of Directors requires a free and fair election process. In 2009, under the supervision of IEC, the election was successfully completed with participation of more than 35,000 members in the 21 provinces that elected its first body of board members.
Mr. Haqjo said, “ACCI is oldest commercial focused institution having been established in 1939 and it operated within a governmental structure. The move to a free market economy several years ago required the chamber to be privatized. Presently, the Chamber conducts its activities based on the rule of law and embraces democratic values. The first elections we held in 2009 resulted in the creation of the current Board of Directors. Since the beginning, this body has been instrumental in developing ACCI’s policies and a framework from which the current Chamber is governed. IEC will monitor our elections for transparency and in accordance with our established policies.”
ACCI will pay for all expenses related to the elections and includes printing of ballots, public service announcements as well as costs to host delegates at the Grand General Assembly. IEC will undertake the organization, monitoring, and other election related technical assistance.
At a Grand General Assembly in October, the High Council of ACCI will be selected from the 21 provincial boards. The High Council will then select ACCI’s national Board of Directors to serve as the highest policy-makers and to set up long and short-term goals in order to support the business aims of the private sector, national economic objectives, and the overall well-being of Afghanistan’s business community.
Private entrepreneurs who have a registered business license and ACCI membership can participate as a candidate or a voter in these elections.
