Election in Afghanistan; hope for world

The war ravaged and terror infested country Afghanistan will go to polls on 20^th August, 2009 to elect its President and members of Provincial Assemblies. According to Constitution of Afghanistan which was enacted and adopted on 4^th January, 2004, only an afghan, born out of an afghan parent can participate and become President of this country.

The future of this country and prestige of NATO, especially the USA and the UK is involved in this election, which is going to be a major challenge for them in view of threats of disruption and violence given by Taliban.

The poll will be held on 20^th August, 2009 between 7:00 hrs to 16:00 hrs of the local time and results would be declared on 17^th September, 2009 if the winning candidate secures at least 50% of the votes polled which is mandatory as per Article 61 of the Constitution.

There are 17 million out of an estimated 30 million Afghans registered to vote in 7000 polling stations spread across the country in all 34 provinces.

41 candidates are fighting for the presidency, whereas as many as 3000 candidates are in fray for 420 seats in 34 provinces.

1. Security situation and elections- the security situation in the war ravaged country is far from satisfactory. NATO headquarter was stormed on the eve of elections leaving some soldiers and civilian dead. Presidential Palace has also been hit by rockets. Out of 34 provinces, Karzai’s government has control over only a very few. Some independent sources suggest that the writs of the govt do not run outside the Kabul. Provinces like Kandahar, Nimruz, Daykundi, Herat, Nurestan, Gor, Ghazni Orunzgan Panjshir etc are virtually not under the control of the government and the writs of Taliban is the final decree. The Taliban has issued warnings on loudspeakers openly in public places and mosques that any body found with indelible ink on his/her thumb, their hands would be chopped off. Such warnings cannot be ignored in Afghanistan and nobody will like his hands chopped off. This does not mean however that nobody will come out and cast vote, after all how could so many candidates including some women dared to file nominations despite Taliban’s opposition.

2. Prospects of peaceful, free and fair election- Article 156 of Constitution of Afghanistan provides for establishment of an Independent Election Commission to conduct election. In pursuance of it, Election Commission has also been constituted, but to what extent a free, fair and peaceful election it would be able to conduct, is yet to be seen. Azizollah Ludin, the head of Election Commission, has complained about calibre of some candidates. He has alleged that his recommendations with respect to change in certain election rules have not been enacted by Parliament and the government has not taken note of it. The main contesting candidates in the presidential fray are the sitting President Hamid Karzai, Abdullah Abdullah, and former finance minister Asraf Ghani. There are about 350 women candidates in the fray for Provincial council polls. Women candidates are also in the fray for presidential seat. Frozen Fana and Shahla Atta are most important among them.

As far as peaceful elections are concerned, the chances are bleak. The rocket attack on Presidential palace and suicidal attacks on defence and police establishments, well in the heart of Kabul, the fortified city, suggest that all is not well in this country. In the mean time some rights groups like Human Rights watch (HRW) have expressed apprehension on elections in Afghanistan. The return of ex -war lord Abdul Rashid Dostum just on the eve of elections have raised eyebrows of many who believe that Karzai might use his clout in his favour.

In the meantime reports are coming in that large numbers of voter’s ID cards are being sold for money and therefore rigging and bogus voting may take place. This matter has been brought to the notice of the Election commission and the officials connected to it has assured of taking some remedial measures for this also. It remains to be seen that in what manner elections are conducted in remote rural areas of the country where communication and other administrative infrastructure are far from satisfaction.

3. Observers and Media- as many as 67 observers from 25 different countries are expected to be present in different parts of Afghanistan to oversee election. International media, despite all hazardous, has made its huge presence felt. This election is under watch and USA and UK will leave no stone unturned to see that it is held in a peaceful manner at least. In the meantime there is a huge conglomeration of media to cover this event which has been talk not of the town but of the world today.

4. Significance for India- Although India is formally not included in US’ ‘much talked but little done’ war against terror, it has been playing major role in Afghanistan. Afghanistan for US and other NATO courtiers may be a laboratory; India has not used or using this country in this way. India’s billion rupees have been so far spent on infrastructure projects like road construction, hospital building, school building etc. Except Taliban, most of the Afghani people have great faith and respect for Indians. Hamid Karzai’s ties with India is deep rooted and so is the cultural and historical relations of common Afghanis; therefore peace and normalcy blended with democratic taste is a well come step in this country of rich cultural heritage and old civilizational importance. The success of this election and subsequent formation of a popular government at Kabul would usher in a new era of hope, peace and prosperity, for which common Afghanis are thirsty of. The restoration of normalcy and return of NATO led foreign troops, the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), from Afghanistan will improve the situation in the region.

If a heavy turnout is made in this election, it will be the victory of Afghanis and hopefully Taliban will also understand the futility of this endless war. It is however a utopian and hypothetical situation but if you don’t see dreams and that too big dreams, how you can achieve it. Formation of a popular government in Afghanistan is of immense strategic and diplomatic importance. If in Afghanistan a popular government takes oath, it will not allow its territory to be used by terrorist in the manner they are using today.

5. Terrorism in India and Afghanistan- Afghanistan today is known for two things in the world. Firstly it has turned into a heaven for terrorist around the world and secondly wholesale supplier of opium. Terrorist organisations like Laskar-e-Toiba, JeM, Jammat, etc receives parental care from Al-Qaeda and Taliban. Osama’s hatred for India is well known. The supply of arms, ammunition and training to terrorists in the camps operating from Pakistan is too obvious to be discussed. The nexus of ISI and Terrorism in Pakistan has become chronic for India. We can hit this nexus with the help of a popular democratically elected govt at Kabul and that is why this election is of utmost importance for India. The Pakistan’s nefarious design can then be thwarted with active support of Afghanistan.

The Al-Qaida and Taliban under Osama and Mullah Muhammad Omar respectively have become source of strength and inspiration of almost all terrorist organisations across the world. This umbilical cord needs to be cut so that terrorism can be prevented from expansion and infection in remaining part of globe.

In this backdrop the successful completion of this election as well as victory of common people’s aspiration over fundamentalists and terrorists is a precondition so that a better world is created to live in peace and harmony.

The war ravaged and terror infested country Afghanistan will go to polls on 20^th August, 2009 to elect its President and members of Provincial Assemblies. According to Constitution of Afghanistan which was enacted and adopted on 4^th January, 2004, only an afghan, born out of an afghan parent can participate and become President of this country.

The future of this country and prestige of NATO, especially the USA and the UK is involved in this election, which is going to be a major challenge for them in view of threats of disruption and violence given by Taliban.

The poll will be held on 20^th August, 2009 between 7:00 hrs to 16:00 hrs of the local time and results would be declared on 17^th September, 2009 if the winning candidate secures at least 50% of the votes polled which is mandatory as per Article 61 of the Constitution.

There are 17 million out of an estimated 30 million Afghans registered to vote in 7000 polling stations spread across the country in all 34 provinces.

41 candidates are fighting for the presidency, whereas as many as 3000 candidates are in fray for 420 seats in 34 provinces.

1. Security situation and elections- the security situation in the war ravaged country is far from satisfactory. NATO headquarter was stormed on the eve of elections leaving some soldiers and civilian dead. Presidential Palace has also been hit by rockets. Out of 34 provinces, Karzai’s government has control over only a very few. Some independent sources suggest that the writs of the govt do not run outside the Kabul. Provinces like Kandahar, Nimruz, Daykundi, Herat, Nurestan, Gor, Ghazni Orunzgan Panjshir etc are virtually not under the control of the government and the writs of Taliban is the final decree. The Taliban has issued warnings on loudspeakers openly in public places and mosques that any body found with indelible ink on his/her thumb, their hands would be chopped off. Such warnings cannot be ignored in Afghanistan and nobody will like his hands chopped off. This does not mean however that nobody will come out and cast vote, after all how could so many candidates including some women dared to file nominations despite Taliban’s opposition.

2. Prospects of peaceful, free and fair election- Article 156 of Constitution of Afghanistan provides for establishment of an Independent Election Commission to conduct election. In pursuance of it, Election Commission has also been constituted, but to what extent a free, fair and peaceful election it would be able to conduct, is yet to be seen. Azizollah Ludin, the head of Election Commission, has complained about calibre of some candidates. He has alleged that his recommendations with respect to change in certain election rules have not been enacted by Parliament and the government has not taken note of it. The main contesting candidates in the presidential fray are the sitting President Hamid Karzai, Abdullah Abdullah, and former finance minister Asraf Ghani. There are about 350 women candidates in the fray for Provincial council polls. Women candidates are also in the fray for presidential seat. Frozen Fana and Shahla Atta are most important among them.

As far as peaceful elections are concerned, the chances are bleak. The rocket attack on Presidential palace and suicidal attacks on defence and police establishments, well in the heart of Kabul, the fortified city, suggest that all is not well in this country. In the mean time some rights groups like Human Rights watch (HRW) have expressed apprehension on elections in Afghanistan. The return of ex -war lord Abdul Rashid Dostum just on the eve of elections have raised eyebrows of many who believe that Karzai might use his clout in his favour.

In the meantime reports are coming in that large numbers of voter’s ID cards are being sold for money and therefore rigging and bogus voting may take place. This matter has been brought to the notice of the Election commission and the officials connected to it has assured of taking some remedial measures for this also. It remains to be seen that in what manner elections are conducted in remote rural areas of the country where communication and other administrative infrastructure are far from satisfaction.

3. Observers and Media- as many as 67 observers from 25 different countries are expected to be present in different parts of Afghanistan to oversee election. International media, despite all hazardous, has made its huge presence felt. This election is under watch and USA and UK will leave no stone unturned to see that it is held in a peaceful manner at least. In the meantime there is a huge conglomeration of media to cover this event which has been talk not of the town but of the world today.

4. Significance for India- Although India is formally not included in US’ ‘much talked but little done’ war against terror, it has been playing major role in Afghanistan. Afghanistan for US and other NATO courtiers may be a laboratory; India has not used or using this country in this way. India’s billion rupees have been so far spent on infrastructure projects like road construction, hospital building, school building etc. Except Taliban, most of the Afghani people have great faith and respect for Indians. Hamid Karzai’s ties with India is deep rooted and so is the cultural and historical relations of common Afghanis; therefore peace and normalcy blended with democratic taste is a well come step in this country of rich cultural heritage and old civilizational importance. The success of this election and subsequent formation of a popular government at Kabul would usher in a new era of hope, peace and prosperity, for which common Afghanis are thirsty of. The restoration of normalcy and return of NATO led foreign troops, the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), from Afghanistan will improve the situation in the region.

If a heavy turnout is made in this election, it will be the victory of Afghanis and hopefully Taliban will also understand the futility of this endless war. It is however a utopian and hypothetical situation but if you don’t see dreams and that too big dreams, how you can achieve it. Formation of a popular government in Afghanistan is of immense strategic and diplomatic importance. If in Afghanistan a popular government takes oath, it will not allow its territory to be used by terrorist in the manner they are using today.

5. Terrorism in India and Afghanistan- Afghanistan today is known for two things in the world. Firstly it has turned into a heaven for terrorist around the world and secondly wholesale supplier of opium. Terrorist organisations like Laskar-e-Toiba, JeM, Jammat, etc receives parental care from Al-Qaeda and Taliban. Osama’s hatred for India is well known. The supply of arms, ammunition and training to terrorists in the camps operating from Pakistan is too obvious to be discussed. The nexus of ISI and Terrorism in Pakistan has become chronic for India. We can hit this nexus with the help of a popular democratically elected govt at Kabul and that is why this election is of utmost importance for India. The Pakistan’s nefarious design can then be thwarted with active support of Afghanistan.

The Al-Qaida and Taliban under Osama and Mullah Muhammad Omar respectively have become source of strength and inspiration of almost all terrorist organisations across the world. This umbilical cord needs to be cut so that terrorism can be prevented from expansion and infection in remaining part of globe.

In this backdrop the successful completion of this election as well as victory of common people’s aspiration over fundamentalists and terrorists is a precondition so that a better world is created to live in peace and harmony.