Presidential Elections in Afghanistan

The South Asian country, Afghanistan raided and swayed by Taliban is eagerly waiting for the results of the Presidential elections 2014 to be announced on April 24^th. Our North west neighbour, the hot seat of the Taliban was plundered, ravaged and left decrepit by arduous wars is trying to enter the new realm of hope. Elections held in the first week of April had registered 60% voting wherein eligible 12 million voters exercised their franchise.  Young women and men strongly defied the sanctions of the Taliban who threatened then with grave consequences, reached election booths in teeming numbers. As per the Independent Election Commission of Afghanistan, ballot boxes have been transported on donkey backs to the inaccessible hilly terrains to facilitate the process of the choosing a President who can lead them into a new frontier. There are three front runners for the post of President former Foreign Ministers Abdullah Abdullah and Zalmai Rassoul and a veteran politician Ashraf Ghani. President Hamid Karzai is not allowed to contest elections as per the country’s constitution.

These elections are receiving international attention against the backdrop of US decision to pull back NATO-led International Security Assistance Force or ISAF installed in 2001 by the end of 2014. The decision to recall approximately 53,000 troops is bound to have incriminating consequences in the South Asian region, a region known for fragile interstate relationships. Taliban who are against restoration of any democratic process are disrupting the presidential and provincial elections as several regions have witnessed spurt in bomb blasts and violence. The occurrence of these incidents was more pronounced in the east and southern parts of the country, the regions bordering Pakistan.

Afghanistan had an excruciating past. The war with Soviet Union ended in 1989 later on the country was pushed into civil wars fought by people of different ethnic origin that wrecked the country’s economy and left it weak and unstable. After several years Taliban- an alliance of Muslim clerics, students and former fighters of Soviet Union wrested their control over the country till 2001. Taliban forcibly advocated radical practices of Muslim culture and any violation was met with grave punishments. Women’s independence has been totally curtailed under the guise of Sharia. With the result once cosmopolitan and urbane Kabul has become home of public lynching and floggings. Women were largely confined to home and girls were forbidden from attending schools. Having forsaken their freedom, women are solely resting on their votes as weapons of change. An independent survey conducted by Free Election Forum of Afghanistan (FEFA) indicated that first priority of the majority is restoration of peace followed by infrastructure and health care.

Since President Karzai failed to sign a bilateral security agreement with US, it is left with Zero-option but to withdraw the forces completely. With the result, Taliban is spreading its poisonous fangs into remote regions where coalition troops have signed off. The long term strategy of Taliban is to slowly gain strength and avenge back with military action. Some reports suggest that foundations of Taliban have weakened as donors are no longer willing to donate with US armies pulling back. Apart from security issues withdrawal of NATO troops might impair the generous foreign aid and technical help for aerial combat for the native forces.

The Presidential elections would be a reprieve for the turbulent nation with a weak economy. The winner of the elections must get more than 50% of valid ballot else the top-two positions have to go for a run-off which will be held by the end of May.  Run-off would cost the state exchequer with addition $ 100 million apart from the raging security concerns. Independent Election Commission is also worried of fractured verdict as reports indicate that elections were mired by fraud.  As per latest reports of counting of the ballot, the front runner of this Presidential election is Abdullah Abdullah, a eye surgeon with nearly 42% of votes.

At this juncture, it is imminent to discuss about the book “The Wrong Enemy: America in Afghanistan 2001-2014” written by US journalist Carlotta Gall, clearly attributes the incriminating role of Pakistan, a close ally of US for the sad state of affairs in Afghanistan. But the situation could be reversed as the contenders for the top post currently are not gullible village mullahs but matured politicians and intellectuals. Gall is her book doesn’t mince words in discussing the vicious role of Pakistan which has been sending proxies across the borders as militants to drive away US.  She adds that, this is just a part of its 40 year old pursuit of usurping its weak neighbour. Having realised the evil intentions of Pakistan to keep Afghanistan as a burning cauldron, all the candidates for the President’s post promised to sign the bilateral security agreement with the US. As per this agreement, a contingency of military troops would stay back after 2014 to train the native forces. A part from the threats of Taliban excesses, Afghanistan is looming under pressure of possible civil war by restive tribes in the south and eastern regions. The new president primarily has a grave challenge of keeping the fractured country intact. Hope this election might deliver an absolute majority to one of candidates. For peace in the Afghan land would entail harmony in the entire South Asian region.

 

 

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