Afghanistan has reached on the verge of election-2014 that turns to be a decisive mode in the history of war wrecked country. Amidst uncertain economical and socio-political circumstances transparent election followed by peaceful transition of power earn centrality to avert the status quo. In that pursuit the role of government and its concerned departments exercising neutrality, security maintenance, provision of impartial environment stand vital and preliminary.
Despite the presence of multifold problems, the upcoming election is termed, a turning point in the history of war-torn Afghanistan carrying enormous riches and uncertainties alike. It must be imbibed that the politicians tending to be leaders are left to drag the country out of multiple crises at the end of day. Acceptably asserting; 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 every day advancing towards 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. Formerly, Abdullah Abdullah, one of presidential contenders told off his concerns saying, “Any kinds of neglect by election related agencies in staging the presidential elections in April will lead Afghanistan towards instability. “We will never reach political stability if fraud determines our fates,” Abdullah said. Many underlying doubts were unearthed related to concerned departments and officials to demonstrate impartiality.
The government seemingly adopted necessary measures for conducting transparent and fair elections in order to earn the confidence of political parties and civil bodies. 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 achievement of incumbent government given that exploitation of election result either by government or political parties render unaffordable than unacceptable.
People fed up of bad governance, 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.
The conduction of free, fair and transparent election renders a great achievement the government in office to execute given the past experiences records mass rigging and fraudulence. 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. 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.
Prior to commencement of election campaign, the ECC was expected of turning down the candidacy of some of contenders on rational grounds of human rights violations, instead highly credible candidates would be left to fight election. Nonetheless, it did not happen given the election campaign formally kicked-off with the eleven contenders left to fight the race.
Provided that the electoral process has entered in significant phase, the undertakings of election commission have multiplied. One being the assurance of congenial environment where contenders dare not violating the code of conduct by making verbal or physical assault on the political rival – as it should lead to annulment of candidature of the contestant.
The insurgents certainly intimidate civilians from polling process by warning of ill-consequences, which must be discouraged. The government must work out a coordinated security plan to keep the insurgents away from residential enclaves and polling stations. The insurgents might use variant alternatives to give a blow to electoral process bringing the system at standstill. To nullify all these concerns, the government must come forth with full fledge preparation doing away all the apprehensions.
Regretfully, on the eve of beginning of election campaign two members of Abdullah’s campaign were shot dead by unidentified gunmen in front of campaign office in western Herat province. This of course intimates bad omen on the reliability of forth lying electoral phases, receiving international condemnation. This act affects the ability of ordinary Afghans exercising their fundamental right to express their free democratic will to vote in an atmosphere free of intimidation and non-violent conduction of election.
In the absence of interim body the role of incumbent government ensuring impartiality in the whole process counts manifold. Formerly, the Young Activists for Reform and Change (YARC), an amalgam of 35 organizations and civil society groups, accused the government of interfering in the electoral process and supporting a particular candidate for which government funds and machinery are being used. The participation of public officials in public campaigning reinforces the credibility of rumors against electoral inconveniences taking or expected to take place.
This is a serious allegations charged against the Karzai’s government that has repeatedly asserted his neutrality whilst urging all government departments to refrain from campaigning for or against any contender. Factually, the issuance of directives and rhetoric as long as pragmatic measures of neutrality are not demonstrated to the satisfaction of everyone, will not suffice.