Afghanistan prepares for election amid fraud allegations, fear of Taliban
KABUL: Najibullah, a 47 yearold shopkeeper in the main bazaar of Kabul’s old city, is resisting the widespread pessimism and allegations of cheating that have hung over elections to Afghanistan’s often-derided parliament this month.
The October 20 vote, seen by international partners as a dry run for presidential elections next year, has been hampered by chaotic preparations, allegations of fraud and ever-present fears of militant violence.
But Najibullah, who like many Afghans goes by one name, said it would be a chance to clean up the institution, a hope shared by foreign donors desperate for signs of progress 17 years since the Taliban were ousted.
“Fortunately there are talented, eligible and educated new faces among the candidates that can restore the image of parliament,” Najibullah said.
The government and Afghanistan’s international partners are counting on optimists like Najibullah to ensure the success of a ballot that is already three years overdue. After a slow start, almost 9 million voters and 2,500 candidates competing for places in the 249-seat lower house have been registered and campaigning began officially late last month. Kabul’s concrete blast walls have been plastered with election posters for hundreds of parliamentary hopefuls as well as sitting MPs standing for re-election.
With Taliban insurgents controlling about one-third of the country, thousands being killed in the fighting and doubts about the success of the US strategy to force the rebels to accept peace talks by stepping up air strikes, the credibility of the Westernbacked government is at stake.
“We want to have timely and transparent elections. There is no secret about it,” said European Union envoy Pierre Mayaudon. “Both on their own merits to strengthen institutions - and with a view to the next one, the presidential election.”
Despite some talk of a postponement, President Ashraf Ghani has repeatedly insisted the elections will be held on time and both the Independent Election Commission (IEC) and the government dismiss speculation of any delay. “One hundred per cent, the elections will take place on (October 20),” said IEC spokesman Syed Hafizullah Hashimi.
Election authorities originally planned to have 7,355 polling centres across the country but only 5,100 will be able to open due to security concerns, according to the IEC.
For weeks, media coverage has been dominated by reports of fraudulent voter registration and accusations of interference by powerful regional and local strongmen. Instead of debating policy, most energy has been devoted to wrangling over issues like a new biometric voter verification system which political parties have insisted be introduced at the last minute.
The last of 22,000 handheld biometric verification devices only arrived in Kabul late last month and will be sent out to the provinces in the coming days but no one is sure the $20 million system can be set up by voting day.
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