The Independent Election Commission has warned that the presidential election in 2014 will not be transparent if the older voter registration cards are used. In reaction to the statement by President Karzai on Tuesday that old cards should be used, IEC says transparency of the process will be undermined.

In a swift and needed tone, IEC Chief said, “The things we do aim to guarantee the transparency of elections, but anyone who wants to interfere in our internal affairs will undermine transparency and they will lose out.” He added that the process of new voter registrations cards might not have been fully explained to President.

However, it seems evident that there is an intentional delay-tactic. The design of the e-tazkira which was supposed to start the past month has not been approved yet. Those old cards of the previous voter registration can be bought at cheap prices all over the country. There were over 17 million of them, while the number of actual eligible voters for this year is about 15 million. Rigging would be unavoidable with the old lists. The fraud machinery could actually hijack the election results through ghost voters, or in other words, two million nonexistent fraud registered voters can decide the fate of Presidential elections in 2014.

President Karzai had said that the Government has not enough money for new cards and the cabinet will “decide” on the issue. However, it would be inappropriate if the cabinet decides the tasks and responsibilities of the Election Commission. IEC Chief asked the political parties and civil society to help the commission conduct its constitutional responsibility. It was a clear complain about interventions from the rulers in work of IEC for upcoming Presidential elections.

A smooth transfer of power through free, fair and transparent elections must be ensured to avoid any crisis in 2014. Similar issues of fraud had caused a deadlock in 2009. Repeat of that experience will not pass smoothly next time. It will take the system down. Such a crisis could derail the entire process and we could plunge into political instability much more seriously and threateningly than 2009.

The old registration lists will ease fraudulent and rigging. Voters are not linked to any particular polling station, thus more than one card issued to one person in thousands.

There is enough time for a rapid and swift process. The US and other major donor countries should also provide support for smooth and transparent elections to keep the achievements of last eleven years in governance and reconstruction intact.