SPEAKING FREELY Early fears for Afghanistan's elections
By Sharif Ghalib
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Afghans are increasingly alarmed over the international community's
half-hearted approach towards the historic elections that the nation is
constitutionally bound to convene early this year.
The emerging alarm is broadly shared by the political parties, independent
politicians and candidates known to be planning to
contest the ballot. It first surfaced last year, when the country's election
body recommended that both presidential and parliamentary elections be held
jointly to cut costs.
Parliament was quick to challenge the recommendation as unconstitutional, and
this led to a decision by the government to hold separate presidential and
parliamentary elections in 2009 and 2010 respectively, in conformity with the
constitution.
Despite this, government officials have also continuously implied and still are
that the elections - slated for the spring 2009 according to the constitution -
may yet be delayed until autumn this year (security permitting), reiterating
insecurity and fears of a low voter registration.
But lawmakers citing reports by the Independent Election Commission of
Afghanistan (IEC) of possibly high turnouts across the country, and the smooth
progress of the registration process, have passed a unanimous motion calling
any delay in the poll a breach of the constitution.
The IEC is currently in the midst of a vast voter registration drive poised to
enter its fourth and last phase covering four restive southern provinces, which
is expected to end in early February.
All the same, to follow the indications the IEC has been making more frequently
of late, it appears that there is no let up in sight in the mounting wrangle
between the government and the legislature over the controversy.
But what seems more intriguing to political stakeholders and the general public
at large, is the erratic silence by the international community over this
crucial issue, which is arguably the underlying goal of its declared
stabilization and democratization campaign in the country.
The 2009 election will be only the second direct vote for the presidency in
Afghanistan's history, after the 2004 election when President Hamid Karzai won
a five-year term.
The poll embodies unique historic significance for the people of Afghanistan,
as does the international community's commitment to its implementation and
safeguarding of its integrity.
The popular demand that the election to be held on the fixed date is widely
considered to be part and parcel of that integrity, which makes it no lesser
important than the election itself. Thus, a great many view the unwarranted
delay as an infringement upon the constitution.
But why are elections so important for Afghans today? Perhaps the answer could
be traced to the history of the country. Generations of Afghans both old and
young, still carry recollections of how successive autocratic and oligarchic
regimes perpetuated their rule by choosing the bullet over the ballot.
Luckily, however, now Afghanistan is destined for a new future. Seven years
since the inception of the historic governance process started by the Bonn
agreement, and despite all the inadequacies, shortcomings and at times
wrongdoings, today the country has made great strides in alleviating the
gruesome memories of the past by laying the foundation of a modern
representative and inclusive democracy.
And it is precisely because of these in-depth and far-reaching changes, which
have set out a new course for Afghanistan, that the government and especially
the international community - by virtue of the sway it holds over the situation
- must steadfastly follow through with this process. They both must do their
utmost to bring about permissive conditions for timely, free and fair elections
in strict adherence to Afghanistan's constitution.
Let's keep in mind that the consequences of not convening the presidential
election this year would be dire, and excusing this over 'insecurity or
budgetary strain' would be a tough sell. A failure to ensure security and to
create conducive environment for the completion of the ongoing registration
process and the subsequent ballot, would hardly justify the North Atlantic
Treaty Organization's surging military presence in the country in the eyes of
the Afghans. As would a lack of funding for the election.
Also, this would bring into question the continuity of the overall peace
process, threatening the existing national and political cohesion. It will put
at risk the legitimacy of the political setup beyond the election date, inflict
serious damage on the faith of the people in the constitution, and affect their
confidence in the sanctity of the government as an institution. Furthermore, it
will set a dangerous precedent for the future governance of Afghanistan.
Last but not least, such a failure would put the legacy of Karzai, in his
capacity as the first-ever democratically-elected head of state of Afghanistan,
at stake. Having broken new ground in serving his nation with integrity until
now, he is obliged to lead by example in upholding the nation's constitution
and fulfilling his constitutional mandate to duly hold the presidential
election.
Indeed, this will serve application of the rule of law as the principle of
legitimate exercise of authority by future Afghan governments.
Sharif Ghalib served at the UN for 10 years, and was the first Afghan
diplomat to negotiate the establishment of full bilateral diplomatic and
consular relations between Afghanistan and Canada at resident-embassy level. He
opened the Embassy of Afghanistan in Ottawa in late 2002 and served as the
country's charge d'affaires and minister counselor until 2005. He is the
honorary president of the Canadian Afghan Council (CAC). He can be reached via
e-mail: sharif_sahmas@yahoo.ca
(Copyright 2009 Sharif Ghalib.)
Speaking Freely is an Asia Times Online feature that allows guest writers to have
their say.
Please click hereif you are interested in contributing.
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