Taliban dissolve Afghanistan's 2 election commissions, saying there is no need for them

The Taliban dissolved Afghanistan's two election commissions as well as the state ministries for peace and parliamentary affairs, an official said Sunday.

Bilal Karimi, deputy spokesperson for Afghanistan's Taliban-run government, said the country's Independent Election Commission and Electoral Complaint Commission have been dissolved.

He called them "unnecessary institutes for the current situation in Afghanistan" and said if there is a need for the commissions in the future, the Taliban government can revive them.

The international community is waiting before extending formal recognition to Afghanistan's new rulers. They are wary the Taliban could impose a similarly harsh regime as when they were in power 20 years ago — despite assurances to the contrary.

Both elections commissions were mandated to administer and supervise all types of elections in the country, including presidential, parliamentary and provincial council elections.

Karimi said the Taliban also dissolved the Ministry for Peace and the Ministry for Parliamentary Affairs. He said they were unnecessary ministries in the government's current structure.

The Taliban had previously shut down the former Ministry of Women's Affairs.