Reportedly President Karzai is considering appointing Independent Election Commission Chief Fazal Ahmad Manawi as Chief Justice and bringing a loyalist to replace him. Maulvi Ataullah Ludin, second deputy of the High Peace Council and a leader of the Hizb-e-Islami (not Hekmatyar faction) is being suggested to replace Manawi. Though unconfirmed yet, if the decision is announced, it would connect the series of moves attempted at manipulation of the upcoming presidential elections in 2014.
Mr. Manawi is a respected person. He would surely serve justly as Chief Justice, but his replacement should be a similar uncontroversial and nonpartisan figure acceptable to all opposition political groups.
While talking at a conference organized by the Transparent Election Foundation of Afghanistan, Manawi said the upcoming polls were significant not only for Afghanistan, but also the region. He said that certain elements are trying to sabotage the process by provoking distrust about the elections among people, but IEC would ensure a transparent poll.
He added, "We ask the government, the political opposition, and the international community to help bring trust and positive thinking about the election.” He further said that free and fair elections would ensure a smooth power transfer in 2014 vital for stability in Afghanistan by strengthening democracy. He urged political stakeholders and the civil society to work building trust about the process.
Earlier it was prognosticated that Manawi might not remain in his position as IEC Chief. It seems moves are underway to make that happen. He is a respected and non-controversial figure good to lead the IEC through the next elections.
His earlier stance on using old voter registration cards were also disregarded by his deputy when Manawi was traveling abroad. He had said the polls will not be transparent if the older voter registration cards are used. Before his statement, President Karzai had said the government could not provide the needed money for new voter registration, and old cards must be used.
When Manawi was traveling to India, IEC ‘decided’ and announced old voter cards would be used. The decision has been strongly opposed by all major opposition groups, but the Government seems to completely ignore.
People cannot really hold high hopes and trust in the polling process when unanimous calls from opposition political parties about the issue of old voter registration cards and Election Complaints Commission are being ignored by administration.
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 serious and threatening than 2009.