The National Unity Government (NUG) has prepared the draft of President’s Third Legislative Decree for the approval in the Cabinet.

The Presidential Palace said the draft was reviewed by government’s legislative committee, led by Sarwar Danish, Second Vice President and in consultation with political parties and civil society institutions.

“The prepared draft will be submitted at the cabinet’s next session. The National Unity Government leadership board has prepared the electoral law draft after receiving the legal opinion of commission for overseeing the implementation of the Constitution,” said Shah Hussain Murtazawi, the President’s Deputy Spokesman.

Meanwhile, the Executive Office said the reform process and setting the election date have been victimized by political tensions within the government.

The Executive Office has said that the Sipedar Palace is committed in brining reforms in electoral commissions and will meet key benchmarks in time for the Brussels summit.

“Tensions between the Presidency and Executive Office would affect any types of reforms; election is the same. CEO, Abdullah Abdullah wants to solve the electoral crisis,” said Jawid Faisal, Deputy Spokesman of the CEO.

Afghanistan’s electoral reform process, a precondition for the next ballot, has been excruciatingly slow and has culminated in a watered-down version of its original mandate. The delays mean that it has by now become practically impossible to hold elections this year.

In the meantime, the electoral observing institutions are said to believe that the recent tensions between the two leaders of the government will lead them to have no achievements at the Brussels summit.

On 5 October, the European Union and the government of Afghanistan will co-host the Brussels Conference on Afghanistan. This conference will bring together up to 70 countries and 30 international organizations and agencies. The Conference will provide a platform for the government of Afghanistan to set out its vision and track record on reform.

For the international community, it will be the opportunity to signal sustained political and financial support to Afghan peace, state-building and development.