A spark of hope shines in the eyes of Afghan people with the start of election campaigns. People dream of utopia, free of terrorism. Democracy and freedom are our long-term wishes which have never been touched in its real sense. I believe that the upcoming presidential election will create a U-turn in the country. Therefore, this milestone event is awaited impatiently by Afghan people. Perhaps their dream will come true this time.
Kabul City has been decorated with colorful election posters displaying charming slogans. One can hardly resist the call of the candidates’ eye-catching mottos. Their patriotic catchphrases, mouth-watering promises and nationalistic slogans make one believe their good intensions. Let us glance at some of the presidential candidates’ agendas for the future and the promises made to us, the nation.
Dr. Abdullah Abdullah’s agenda is concisely mentioned as: national solidarity; abolishing administrative corruption; dealing with the challenges of the Afghan IDPs; decreasing illiteracy; providing job opportunities; struggling for the betterment of the economy and fighting poverty; commitment for providing human rights , especially women’s rights; bringing reformation; attending to the unity of the country’s army; establishing good relations with the neighboring countries and establishing a ministry of the Youth Affairs
Ashraf Ghani Ahmad Zai, one of the candidates, said that if he wins the election his future agenda will be: establishing good governance, combating administrative corruption, building a government based on justice, building infrastructural structure for better the economy, giving participatory role to women and youngsters, combating violence, providing nationwide security, strengthening national solidarity and building a strong nation.
Zulmai Rasul, says that considering equal rights for all of Afghan citizens is a significant point in his future agenda. He explained his agenda as: providing opportunity for the youth, providing security, attracting the support of the world and promoting finance investment in the country. Mr. Rasul’s spokesperson, has talked of peace negotiation with Taliban and combating administrative corruption. Mr. Rasul also says in this regard as, “I think the existence of political parties is a main element of democracy; we will respect political parties and civil society groups and look to improve them.”
Qyoom Karzai, says that in his future agenda, economic growth is recognized as a fundamental segment. He said that his nation’s life should progress and believes that Afghan people have the same rights as other nation to live in happiness and prosperity. He includes significant points such as: maintenance of last the decade’s outcomes, combating injustice and lawlessness, paving the way for domestic and foreign investment, promoting the economy , establishing social justice and bringing permanent peace and security.
Gul Agha Sherzai’s future plan includes: bringing national solidarity to all his nation, providing peace and nationwide security, establishing reconstructing programs, defending territorial integrity and governance, respecting law especially constitutional law, supporting freedom of speech.
Dawoud Sultanzoi declares his future agenda as this: honoring freedom of speech, establishing the governance of law, providing security, providing job opportunities for the youngsters, combating poverty and establishing good relations with the world and the neighboring countries.
Hedayat Amin Arsala declares his agenda consisting of: providing justice, campaigning against administrative corruption, honoring human rights especially women’s rights, giving the important role to women and younger generation, struggling to end violence across the country and supporting freedom of speech.
Qutbuddin, Helal articulates his agenda as: conducting honest negotiation with Taliban and Hezb-e-Islami, providing permanent peace, providing national solidarity and campaigning against administrative corruption. Mr. Helal acknowledged that he is a member of the Hezb-e-Islami party, which is regarded as an armed government opposition group, but emphasized that he is running in the elections an independent candidate. He said, “It is right that I am a member of Hezb-e-Islami party led by Gul Buddin Hekmatyar and I believe that there is a political party lead by Mr. Hekmatyar in Afghanistan, but it is also right that my deputies and I are independent candidates.”
Sardar Muhammad Nadir Naim’s future agenda includes: providing permanent peace and stability, establishing national solidarity, creating close relations between people and government, implementing law enforcement, providing justice and supporting freedom of speech.
Presently, anti-racist and national slogans are chanted by the presidential candidates. They compete seriously and their words and statements are their power.
After all, it was a great ill-luck when the presidential campaigns were started with the death of a candidate’s men. Two of Dr. Abdullah’s campaigners were gunned down in Herat province hours before the start of presidential campaigns.
It is beyond doubt that terrorism and suicide bombings are on rise. Every day Afghan police or civilians lose their lives in bomb blasts or suicide attacks. Insecurity is a great challenge and a matter of concern for Afghan people. Therefore, Afghan people are fluctuating between hope and fear.
Currently, almost everything is in ambiguity for Afghan people such as the issue of security pact, the presence of NATO forces in post-2014, the security situation, the issue of terrorism, etc. Of course, the presidential candidates are making generous promises and some of them still include peace talk in their agenda, but will it work and how they will convince the Taliban militants remain in mystery. Our Afghan government failed to hold an honest peace parley with the Taliban officials in the last decade. Hence, it seems that spending further time and energy over this process will be pre-mature and unrealistic for the future president.
People have doubts about the promises of the presidential candidates. Moreover, their political backgrounds are of a significant role in their success. I will leave it for the readers to judge.
The Election Commission of Afghanistan is aware of the challenges in this democratic exercise.
It is hoped that the upcoming presidential election will open a door of practical democracy to the country rooting out our patriarchal system from society. Of course, people think that the election will heal the bleeding wound of the war. Stabilizing the country is the most significant issue of the present time. People wish to embrace democracy in a secure milieu by stepping eagerly towards ballot boxes on the Election Day. People hope that their ballots will gain victory over bullets. Election means, widening social mobility, centralizing the role of people and providing a golden chance for them to decide the future president, therefore, it gives people a sense of strength and power.