It is welcoming the leaders of National Unity Government (NUG) finally reach to conclusion to finalize Sultan Shah Akefi as head of electoral reform commission. In total, the reform commission includes fourteen members, including a representative from the United Nations. The National Unity Government (NUG) was long awaited of heading towards this very crucial change. The development is well received in every section of afghan society –even the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has welcomed the establishment of the Electoral System Reform Commission.
Nonetheless, the different position owned by the leaders of NUG is said to be the main reason for the delay. Parliamentary elections are a very difficult challenge –given there are not set electoral rules –complicates the state of affairs. Without due electoral reform the conduct of parliamentary elections would be a difficult and challenging task. The legitimate and functioning government in Afghanistan must have committed to implementing a comprehensive program of reform to empower the Afghan constitution, thereby making the values of the Constitution a daily reality for the people of Afghanistan.
Hence, Electoral Reform is considered a crucial need of Afghans subsequent electoral distaste emerged after the last presidential election. It was too a major part of the agreement between then presidential candidates Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah after last year’s disputed presidential election. It was the September 2014 agreement, the twin head of state and government agreed electoral reforms to ensure that future elections are credible. Without making needed reforms NUG would exercise extra-constitutional authority until electoral reforms are made before conducting parliamentary and district council polls.
Responding at the mounting pressure of civil society and international reform advocate institutions’, earlier the government formed electoral reform special commission that would assume the due course of action making the upcoming parliamentary and local council election credible and the business of government well defined and implementable. The commission was assigned to bring about fundamental changes to the electoral system and build trust between the people and government. Based on the design for the reform commission agreed upon by President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, the electoral reform commission will offer its recommendations and the outcomes of its assessments to NUG. The timeframe of parliamentary elections will not be under the commission’s purview.
Earlier, President Ashraf Ghani issued a decree announced the 15-member special commission whilst opting female lawmaker Shukria Barekzai is the head of the commission and Sediqullah Tawhidi the deputy head. Nonetheless, the CEO’s office has opposed Ghani’s appointment of Shukria Barakzai as the head. As a result, the commission could not formerly start working. This was patent move underscoring the underlying differences between president and the CEO –seems to be predominantly the clash of interest than the crucial changes.
The controversy imminent to surface subsequent to formation of Head of electoral reform commission although Independent Election Commission of Afghanistan (IEC) owns a head –will be duly resolved. In the presence of one commission what would be the status of other commission is hitherto undecided. What would be the area of jurisdiction of these commissions is shun in ambiguity? Commissioners of the Independent Election Commission (IEC) were fighting off calls for them to be replaced while insisting that, at this point, they are the only ones who should be making changes to improve future elections. This controversy is an addition to the one existing between political elites. It is therefore, implementing amendments to Afghanistan’s election laws, redefining the job descriptions of the election management bodies and evaluating the structures and capacities of the electoral commissions are the top priorities of the newly formed electoral reform commission, according to Shah Sultan Akifi, the recently appointed chair of the reform commission.
Despite Abdullah’s the differences over Ghani’s formation of the reform commission, the Office of the Chief Executive has commended the commission and calling it a balanced body. However, hinting at continued differences over the matter of electoral reform, the statement reiterates that Dr. Abdullah wishes to see those accused of fraud during the 2014 presidential election step down.
Abiding by the Constitution of Afghanistan, maintaining justice and transparency, being neutral, conducting work with professionalism, offering plans and recommendations, evaluating and studying the documents pertaining to the election laws, evaluating regulations and procedures, assessing the structures and capacities of the electoral institutions, finding resolutions and making proper policies for the establishment of a transparent and sustainable electoral system are the chartered responsibilities of Akifi’s reform commission.
The reform commission is expected to complete its work within three months and offer its recommendations within two months after that. If necessary, however, the president maintains the authority to extend the job of the commission.