The imminent presidential and parliamentary elections seem to become a dilemma seeing numerous problems Afghan government faces at present. In contrary to political pundits, I term the upcoming election a turning point in the history of war-torn Afghanistan. It must be imbibed, the politicians tending to be leaders are left to drag the country out of multiple crises at the end of day. Acceptably asserting that subsequent to decades of war and instability, a peaceful transition of power in 2014 could portend a more hopeful future for Afghanistan. It is to be believed that this election is a way out of Afghanistan’s current political chaos.
With the reach of the year of presidential election 2014, the concerns of political parties, international community, civil society organizations and media bodies, regarding the necessary arrangements made to conduct free and fair election feasible, escalated. The government, political parties and civil bodies are seemingly adopting necessary measures, for conducting transparent and fair elections. One of significant undertakings, the government has to think of is the bridging of understanding gaps between the ruling elites and opposition – earning the confidence of all contenders counts to be a peculiar achievements of incumbent government given that exploitation of election result either by government or political parties render unaffordable than unacceptable.
The people fed up of corruption and irregularities have fixed their eyes on the right of their self determination, turning a ray of hope to avert their ill-fates. Many people count on democracy and upcoming election doing away their lengthened miseries. Undoubtedly, a functional democracy aided by universal suffrage supported by international community and neighboring countries will help Afghanistan seek sumptuousness and self-reliance. Amidst massive stagnant cloud of despondency currently prevailing in our beloved country the 2014 poll, the transparent and legitimate, election turn a ray of hope for democratic and prosperous Afghanistan, ahead.
Earlier, President Hamid Karzai during a meeting with 11 presidential runners and their deputies assured them of impartiality whilst conducting fair elections and successful power transfer bring him immense pleasure. It was a laudable gesture displayed by him, to lay the foundation of broad understanding melting away the communication gap, ascertaining a confidential degree of reliance and trust amongst the political rivals.
Conversely the presence of heads and members of election panels, cabinet secret chief, defense and interior ministers, the spy service head and his national security advisor, a message of eminent but legitimate exercise of authority was dispatched, that would restrict them from abuse of their discretionary power.
Amongst the other challenges, security counts to be the most significant solution seeking challenge. A satisfactory security environment is central to an acceptable election outcome, President Karzai said that top defense ministry officials had assured him that Afghan forces were capable of meeting the challenge. Taliban terming democracy un-Islamic will certainly pose serious threats to the electoral process in the localities with greater Taliban hold. In spite of causing major attacks, Taliban aren’t deemed security issue, instead are invited to contest election and try their fate. In order to render election unsuccessful they will launch successive attacks. Worsening security condition will serve the only reason to lower voter turnout, restraining the right to self determination of masses.
Prior to the rest the Electoral Complaints Commission (ECC) tasked to go through the detailed records of all contestants, should impartially public their details following the cases decided by judicial commission. The candidate involved in corrupt practices, acts of crimes, human rights violations and embezzlements must be declared ineligible for the run-up.
The ECC's evaluation process involved in-depth examination of candidate's registration materials as well as their backgrounds. ECC has warned candidates that any links with insurgent groups would automatically disqualify them from running in the elections. The time demanding the promises to be upheld has now reached. According to set rules any violation of the Election Laws would be forwarded to judicial bodies for investigation and mediation. Therefore the role of judiciary stand significant and all such complains registered against electoral irregularities must be addressed fair-mindedly.
Some credibility earning rhetoric’s made by the leading contestants were deemed the violation of electoral laws before the campaigning date starts. Campaigning for the elections is scheduled to start on February 2 and continue until March 31 –the candidates must abide by the law. The roughly two-month campaigning period is shorter than in past years, as mandated by the new Election Laws passed in July. The ECC has warned candidates to refrain from campaigning early, as it would be considered as a violation and could lead to their disqualification from running in the elections.
One of the key concerns of candidates running election is the alleged involvement of public officials in electoral process in order to bring the desired outcome. The directives issued by President Hamid Karzai formerly to government officials not to interfere in Independent Election Commission (’IEC) affairs and maintain impartiality in the poll process is appreciable but render useless unless stern measures are not taken to restrict them to mind their own business during electoral process letting it be fairer and more transparent.
A transparent election made possible will bring us delight and economical gains. Many international donors including US, have laid down conditions to aid Afghanistan, linked to conduction of legitimate election. Afghanistan’s weakening economy highly dependable on foreign aids might undergo threatening budget deficit and economical degeneration if foreign aid is disbanded.
The conduction of free, fair and transparent election renders a great challenge to Karzai government given the past experiences records mass rigging and fraudulent. The recurrence of identical issues of fraudulence might not only cause a deadlock but also an endless political turmoil and bring the system at stand still. Such a crisis could derail the entire process and we could thrust into political instability and internal havoc much more seriously and threateningly than 2009.
A credible and universally agreeable election if the government succeeds to conduct will strengthen democracy in Afghanistan otherwise it emboldens the antagonistic forces. The elections held on time, free of fraudulence, rigging and misconduct dictates the aspiration of masses. Any suspicion of ill-deed not only erodes the credibility of election, but also harms legality of the elections -consequently putting Afghanistan on avenues of crisis engulfing the entire system. A smooth transfer of power through free, fair and transparent elections must be ensured to avoid any crisis in post 2014 poll.