Afghan Parliamentary Process: democratically destabilizing? November Naweed Barikzai 1
|
|
- Magdalen Hester Jackson
- 5 years ago
- Views:
Transcription
1 Afghan Parliamentary Process: democratically destabilizing? November 2010 Naweed Barikzai 1 The elections for 249 seats of the Lower House (Wolesi Jirga) of the Afghan Parliament were conducted on 18th September, The constitution of Afghanistan states that [An] Independent Electoral Commission will be established to organize and supervise any election and to hold a referendum within the country based on the provisions of the law. 2 According to Article 156 of the constitution, the IEC had full rights for organizing and supervising the election and accordingly, they postponed the election, which was originally meant to take place on22 nd May, to 18 th September - so that people could have greater chances of joining the parliament. However, the outcome was belated and was finalized on 31 st of October, candidates, including 405 women, participated in an intense campaigning mission from 23rd June to 16th September. But, on 7 th July the Electoral Complaints Commission disqualified 36 candidates for having inappropriate links with private militias whom the Independent Human Rights Commission Head Sima Samar had described as war criminals. 3 However, well-known candidates like Ramazan Bashar Dost, Younus Qanooni, Shukria Barikzai, and Mullah Abdul Salaam Rocketi were untouched in this disqualification drive and they did contest for the elections. There were a total of 5897 polling stations spread across 34 provinces, although, the initial plan was to open 6835 polling centers. The IEC informed that due to security reasons they could not 1 Naweed Barikzai is a research analyst at Centre for Conflict and Peace Studies, Kabul, Afghanistan. 2 "ICL - Afghanistan Constitution." Internetprojekte Prof. Dr. Axel Tschentscher, LL.M., M.A. Web. 18 Dec < 3 "Balkhab - News." Balkhab - Homepage. Web. 18 Dec < Balkhab>.
2 reach their goal and failed to open 938 polling centers. 4 However, adequate security was supposedly ensured for all the operational polling stations and arrangements for transparent voting were also put to place. During the campaign phase, the Taliban killed 11 candidates besides issuing a direct threat to all those involved in the lower house election."we urge people not to participate in the election. Everything and everyone affiliated with the election is our target -- candidates, security forces, campaigners, election workers, voters are all our targets," stated Taliban spokesman, Zabiullah Mujahid. 5 However, people in different provinces did use their voting rights to vote for their favourite candidates It may be noted that the Afghan constitution of 2004 follows Single Non- Transferable Voting system (SNTV). 6 The system allows for candidates with as little as less than one percent of the vote to be elected. There have been calls to review the use of SNTV as it impedes the development of political parties and prevents fair and accurate representation of Afghanistan s diverse population. Consequently as this process was enduring there were several controversies, similar to the previous presidential election. In December 2009 representatives of donor states expressed worries and even suggested that the polls should be postponed. Since the violence and the accusations of fraud that accompanied the 2009 election, another round of voting was expected to do more harm than good. The planned election might lead to a new campaign of violence by the Taliban to threaten voters. The United Nations, the United States and election observation missions, including one representing the European Union, asked the Afghan government to desist from further elections until it had written a new election law and created a list of registered voters. U.S. Congressmen visiting Kabul also urged President Karzai to delay the elections until electoral reforms were in place. Otherwise, Afghanistan could risk American financial support. President Hamid Karzai insisted that the elections had to be held in May, despite concerns about their credibility. On 24 th January, 2010, the election authorities in Afghanistan decided to postpone the elections until 18 th September, due to "security concerns, logistical problems, and 4 "Afghans to Shut 900 Polling Centers on Security Fears Reuters." Business & Financial News, Breaking US & International News Reuters.com. 18 Aug Web. 19 Dec < 5 "Can Afghan Voters Save Their Nation? - Ahmad Majidyar." National Review Online. Web. 18 Dec < 6 Ibid.
3 insufficient funds". 7 Using a loophole in the Constitution, the Karzai administration unilaterally rewrote the election law, and President Karzai put it into effect by a decree on 13 th February, Under this new version, the five members of the Electoral Complaints Commission (ECC) will now be chosen by the president after consultation with the parliamentary leadership. Previously, three of the seats were held by foreigners appointed by the United Nations and the other two members were Afghans. On 31 st March, 2010, the Lower House of the Afghan parliament rejected this change. 8 Former Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah in his speech to United States Institute of Peace (USIP) on 17 th May, 2010, warned that another fitted election would be terrible, even more than the disgraceful presidential election in August 2009 from which he dropped out. 9 On 13 th August, 2010, Staffan de Mistura, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's special representative for Afghanistan, called upon the Afghan security forces to show delicate attention, referring to widespread intimidation of female candidates, the killing of three candidates and other violence directed against candidates. 10 The Free and Fair Election Foundation of Afghanistan (FEFA) stated that its observers were placed in all 34 provinces of Afghanistan to observe the campaigns at the provincial level, and volunteer observers in many districts as well. 11 Additionally, it called on the Afghan government and Afghan and international security forces to take action against individuals perpetrating electoral violations and act decisively to protect voters and candidates ahead of the parliamentary elections. In the report about the launch of the 2010 election campaigns, the FEFA detailed illegal actions of candidates, increasing attacks against candidates and campaign workers, and widespread intimidation of women. Warlords, the Taliban and rival candidates were blamed for the intimidation and at least eight people had been assassinated in 7 Ibid. 8 Vikasahlawat22, By. "Current Affairs January - February 2010 Current Affairs Questions and Answers Bank Po Snap - Burj Khalifa - Zimbio." Zimbio - Interactive Magazine. Web. 19 Dec < Khalifa/articles/1qvqtTelbAU/Current affairs january february 2010 Current>. 9 "Abdullah: Afghan Parliamentary Election a 'big Test' - Washington Times." Washington Times - Politics, Breaking News, US and World News. Web. 19 Dec < 10 Ibid. 11 "Third Observation Report of the 2010 Election Observation Mission: The Campaign Period from June 23 to July 15 «Afghanistan's 2010 Elections: FEFA Observer Reports." Afghanistan's 2010 Elections: FEFA Observer Reports. Web. 19 Dec < observation-report-of-the-2010-election-observation-mission-the-campaign-period-from-june-23-to-july- 15/>.
4 relation to the elections, including three candidates. According to some candidates the security situation was worse than the 2009 presidential elections, despite the arrival of the reinforcement of 30,000 American troops. Nader Nadery, Commissioner at the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) and director of FEFA, said that there were more threats, more attacks on female candidates and other candidates. "Areas in the south are becoming more and more insecure and areas in the north are becoming more and more intimidating for the weaker candidates." According to Mirwais Yasini, former deputy speaker of the Lower House and a candidate in Nangahar Province, it was impossible to campaign in several districts. 12 There were also reports of thousands of fake voter registration cards in circulation that threatened the credibility of elections. The IEC sacked 6,000 election workers and tightened the security measures surrounding ballot boxes by introducing a computerized tracking system. However, it was expected that fraud would still occur. On the Election Day, at least 14 people were killed and the Taliban also fired rockets in several cities including Kabul and set off bombs at a polling station and by the governor of Kandahar's convoy. 13 The total turnout of voters was estimated to be almost 3,600,000, out of a total of more than 10 million eligible voters. The United Nations said that if five million people voted, the vote could be considered a success, given the difficulties of holding an election during a war. By November, the election process reached a very critical stage, especially after the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) announced the final results of this parliamentary election. Things started going bad when the Electoral Complaints Commission (ECC) delisted the names of 21 candidates, 19 of whom had won the elections as per the declared results. This action of the ECC puts a big question mark on the accountability and credibility of the entire parliamentary elections process and above all, affects those millions of Afghans who risked their lives to participate in the polling process. 14 As part of its efforts against frauds in the elections, the IEC has introduced as many as 1100 parliamentary election candidates to the ECC over allegations of electoral fraud. Most of these candidates had submitted incomplete financial reports to the IEC. 12 Ibid. 13 Ibid. 14 TOLONews. Final Results of Election Called Illegal. 24 th November,
5 Ahmad Zia Rafat, spokes person for the Electoral Complaints Commission said that some of the fraudulent candidates will be fined to the tune of US $ 10,000 (around Afs 50,000) and this list also includes some candidates who have already been declared as winners. 15 Further, Mr. Rafat added that the ECC is trying to disclose the identity of these fraudulent candidates and hopefully, that list shall be published soon. He also said that if the Attorney General is able to discover any election related criminal activity by any of the candidates, the ECC will be glad to cooperate in any such investigations. Now, after all this delay and all the charges/counter-charges, the onus of maintaining credibility of the entire election process lies with the Attorney General s Office. Since, legally, the Supreme Court cannot intervene, so, to address all the allegations/questions against the parliamentary election, the AGO should immediately refer the various electoral fraud/corruption cases to the Supreme Court such that they may be dealt with as per the law of the land. Above all, this will increase the legitimacy of the government in the eyes of Afghan citizens, that their government is still able to punish those people who break the law. 16 Lately in the month of December, a number of former Afghan senators were denied entrance to the parliament by the Secretariat of House of Representatives the main argument being that the Wolesi Jirga wanted to have the new parliament officially inaugurated by Afghan President Hamid Karzai. However, one of these former Members of Parliaments, Kabir Ranjbar, stated that "we need to hold our meeting there and will suggest to the Supreme Court and the President to find out who is behind this new decision." 17 While the president has already rejected the idea of any meetings that has anything to do with the present parliamentary process to be held until the whole enquiry process is over, saying it is early for us to make concrete judgment... as far as the quality of the election is concerned, and organization, this is too early to judge. The president and government will make judgment after the relevant organizations have concluded their work." 18 Moreover, this seems very illogical why former MPs, would claim entry into the parliament. 15 TOLONews - Hundreds of Afghan Poll Candidates Fined, 11 th December, AFGHANISTAN TIMES - Supreme Court not to step in AGO-IEC dispute. 27 th November, Vol.V. Issue No: Afghan Online Press - Former MPs Not Let in Parliament Building, 19 th December, Ibid.
6 On the other hand, the Afghan Attorney General is claiming for the cancellation of the final results of the parliamentary poll. The official in charge of complaints and appeals at the Attorney General's Office, Hafizullah Hafiz, observed that 59 candidates had illegally been accredited as winners. He repeated accordingly that these candidates should be prosecuted. Additionally he claimed that the Independent Election Commission should not have announced the final results of elections." 19 Simultaneously, the spokesman for the elections watchdog said that interference in the electoral commissions' affairs is violation of law which will never be acceptable by electoral commissions" 20 meaning that it would be illegal to intervene in electoral commissions affairs. Moreover, the current situation of parliament is a cause of big frustration for all the voters who risked their lives to cast their votes and all this is happening because the Independent Election Commission could not discharge its legal duties in an appropriate fashion and that it failed to control the corruption inside the organisation. The current election imbroglio in Afghanistan is mainly due to the feudal mindset of those Afghans who cannot leave behind their concept of preferential treatment. Historically, backing one and stepping on another has been the prevalent guiding political principle in Afghanistan for the last 300 years - beginning from the Hotaki Empire to the current government candidates were disqualified after the 18 th September elections for the Wolesi Jirga for different reasons. Additionally, the afghan presidents spokesman said that the ongoing row between both the IEC and the AGO over parliamentary poll results would not spark any crisis and this will not lead to a standoff. He said the president had asked supporters of candidates to choose a legal way of resolving the issue instead of staging protests. Moreover, Waheed Omar added that "The president doesn't want Afghans' rights to be violated. He is ready to inaugurate the new parliament elected by Afghans... Karzai is not interested at all in poll results from one particular province. To him, the overall outcome is important ". This was said in regards to the delay in announcement of results from Ghazni province. 22 In concerns with the issue that is ongoing between IEC and AGO the President has admitted of fraudulence by individuals in government and parliamentary candidates. Therefore, he has 19 Ibid. 20 Ibid. 21 World - Hotaky Dynasty, 20 th December, "Karzai Won't Intervene in AG Office-IEC Row Pajhwok Afghan News." Pajhwok Afghan News Reflecting the Truth. Web. 23 Dec <
7 requested those judicial organs to implement the election law. According to a high ranking official in the IEC, no other organisation can interfere in the ongoing process of election until they get the outcome, while a political analyst, Muhammad Yunus Fakoor, believes the AGO can interfere into the IEC's affairs if a criminal element is involved. He said legally, AGO does not have the right to ask for the postponement of the election results. "AGO has acted politically," he said, adding that the AGO interfered when it realised that supporters of President Hamid Karzai were losing and that of Dr Abdullah Abdullah, Karzai's main rival, were winning the elections. A professor of law at Kabul University, Nasrullah Stanakzai, says that AGO has a legal right to interfere into the IEC's affairs - "AGO should have documents to buttress its stance, then it can interfere." 23 However, to a certain extent the result of the parliamentary elections is not somewhat optimistic since the whole process has been complicated with irregularities and fraud. Nonetheless many candidates have been disqualified and huge disputes have taken place which is still being reviewed by the AGO and the IEC, especially between the ECC who claims no other government institution should engage themselves in this investigation process for fraudulence. While the AGO, with the condition of having sufficient evidence, can take the liberty to take action against any criminal act. Furthermore, taking into consideration the 2005 Parliamentary elections, which were deemed a relative success and were devoid of large scale accusation of fraud and corruption, the recent democratically destabilizing parliamentary elections shows sings of a weakening government, wide-scale corruption and the potential for expanding insecurity. Both the most recent elections and the fraud ridden 2009 presidential elections has added to Afghanistan s worries, making the long struggle for democratization and stability a far sought dream. 23 "Supreme Court Not to Step in AGO-IEC Dispute Pajhwok Afghan News." Pajhwok Afghan News Reflecting the Truth. Web. 23 Dec < Copyright 2011
Transparency is the Key to Legitimate Afghan Parliamentary Elections
UNITED STates institute of peace peacebrief 61 United States Institute of Peace www.usip.org Tel. 202.457.1700 Fax. 202.429.6063 October 14, 2010 Scott Worden E-mail: sworden@usip.org Phone: 202.429.3811
More informationElections in Afghanistan 2018 National Parliamentary (Wolesi Jirga) Elections
Elections in Afghanistan 2018 National Parliamentary (Wolesi Jirga) Elections Asia-Pacific International Foundation for Electoral Systems 2011 Crystal Drive Floor 10 Arlington, VA 22202 www.ifes.org October
More informationCenter for Strategic & Regional Studies
Center for Strategic & Regional Studies Kabul Weekly Analysis-Issue Number 272 (Oct 20-27, 2018) Weekly Analysis is one of CSRS publications, which significantly analyses weekly economic and political
More informationCenter for Strategic & Regional Studies
Center for Strategic & Regional Studies Kabul Weekly Analysis-Issue Number 269 (Sep 29-Oct 6, 2018) Weekly Analysis is one of CSRS publications, which significantly analyses weekly economic and political
More informationThe 2010 Wolesi Jirga Elections in Afghanistan
The 2010 Wolesi Jirga Elections in Afghanistan National Democratic Institute The 2010 Wolesi Jirga Elections in Afghanistan National Democratic Institute National Democratic Institute 2030 M Street NW,
More informationCenter for Strategic & Regional Studies
Center for Strategic & Regional Studies Kabul Weekly Analysis-Issue Number 249 (April 21-28, 2018) Weekly Analysis is one of CSRS publications, which significantly analyses weekly economic and political
More informationReal Change for Afghan Women s Rights: Opportunities and Challenges in the Upcoming Parliamentary Elections
UNITED STates institute of peace peacebrief 44 United States Institute of Peace www.usip.org Tel. 202.457.1700 Fax. 202.429.6063 August 11, 2010 Nina Sudhakar E-mail: nsudhakar@usip.org Phone: 202.429.4168
More informationSTATEMENT OF THE NDI PRE-ELECTION DELEGATION TO AFGHANISTAN
STATEMENT OF THE NDI PRE-ELECTION DELEGATION TO AFGHANISTAN Kabul, December 9, 2013 This statement is offered by an international delegation organized by the National Democratic Institute (NDI) that visited
More informationPRELIMINARY STATEMENT OF THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTE S ELECTION MISSION FOR AFGHANISTAN S 2014 PRESIDENTIAL AND PROVINCIAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS
PRELIMINARY STATEMENT OF THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTE S ELECTION MISSION FOR AFGHANISTAN S 2014 PRESIDENTIAL AND PROVINCIAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS Kabul and Washington DC April 7, 2014 This statement is
More informationAfghanistan. Endemic corruption and violence marred parliamentary elections in September 2010.
January 2011 country summary Afghanistan While fighting escalated in 2010, peace talks between the government and the Taliban rose to the top of the political agenda. Civilian casualties reached record
More informationTHE AFGHAN ELECTIONS: IS ABDULLAH RIGHT THAT HE WAS WRONGED (TWICE)? By Andrew Garfield
THE AFGHAN ELECTIONS: IS ABDULLAH RIGHT THAT HE WAS WRONGED (TWICE)? By Andrew Garfield JUNE 2014 Andrew Garfield is a Senior Fellow in FPRI's Program on National Security. A U.S citizen since 2010, served
More informationHamed Karzai President of the Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan
Decree of the President of the Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan on the The Adoption of Electoral Law Number: (28) Date: 27/05/2004 Article 1. This Electoral Law containing (11) chapters and (62)
More informationISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF AFGHANISTAN
Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF AFGHANISTAN PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS 18 September 2010 OSCE/ODIHR ELECTION SUPPORT TEAM REPORT Warsaw, 26 November 2010 TABLE OF CONTENTS
More informationCRS Report for Congress
CRS Report for Congress Received through the CRS Web Order Code RS21922 Updated April 8, 2005 Summary Afghanistan: Presidential and Parliamentary Elections Kenneth Katzman Specialist in Middle Eastern
More informationANNEX 5. Public. Chronology of relevant events
ICC-02/17-7-Anx5 20-11-2017 1/6 NM PT ANNEX 5 Public Chronology of relevant events ICC-02/17-7-Anx5 20-11-2017 2/6 NM PT CHRONOLOGY OF RELEVANT EVENTS In accordance with Regulation 49(3), the Prosecution
More informationCRS Report for Congress
CRS Report for Congress.Received through the CRS Web Order Code RS21922 Updated July 7, 2005 Summary Afghanistan: Presidential and Parliamentary Elections Kenneth Katzman Specialist in Middle Eastern Affairs
More informationONE STEP FORWARD, TWO STEPS BACK?
ONE STEP FORWARD, TWO STEPS BACK? Lessons Learnt on Women s Participation in the 2009 Afghan Elections A report from a workshop convened at the Resource Center for Women in Politics, Kabul, Afghanistan,
More informationANTI FRAUD MEASURES. Principles
ANTI FRAUD MEASURES The Independent Election Commission of Afghanistan is implementing a number of anti fraud measures to protect the integrity of the election process and ensure that election results
More informationElections since General Pervez Musharraf took power in 1999
Elections since General Pervez Musharraf took power in 1999 Long before Pervez Musharraf took power in a military coup in 1999, elections in Pakistan did not meet international standards for being free
More informationTRANSCRIPT. Press Conference with the United Nations Secretary- General s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Ján Kubiš
Transcript TRANSCRIPT Press Conference with the United Nations Secretary- General s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Ján Kubiš (near verbatim; edited for clarity) Kabul Thursday, 12 June 2014 Participants:
More informationLocal elections. Referendum on the voting system used to elect MPs to the House of Commons
5 MAY Local elections and Referendum on the voting system used to elect MPs to the House of Commons aboutmyvote.co.uk About this booklet On Thursday 5 May 2011, there will be a referendum on the voting
More informationScottish Parliamentary election
5 MAY Scottish Parliamentary election and Referendum on the voting system used to elect MPs to the House of Commons aboutmyvote.co.uk About this booklet On Thursday 5 May 2011, there will be: an election
More informationAFGHANISTAN PROTECTION OF CIVILIANS IN ARMED CONFLICT SPECIAL REPORT: 2018 ELECTIONS VIOLENCE. United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan
AFGHANISTAN PROTECTION OF CIVILIANS IN ARMED CONFLICT SPECIAL REPORT: 2018 ELECTIONS VIOLENCE United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan NOVEMBER 2018 KABUL, AFGHANISTAN OVERVIEW Afghanistan Protection
More informationElections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo 2018 General Elections
Elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo 2018 General Elections Africa International Foundation for Electoral Systems 2011 Crystal Drive Floor 10 Arlington, VA 22202 www.ifes.org December 28,
More informationLegislative Newsletter
Legislative Newsletter NEWS: 11 January 2013, Vol.8, No. 16 Introduction of the Electoral Law to Wolesi Jirga Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Mr. Mohammad Hamayoun Azizi and Minister of Justice Mr. Habibullah
More informationElections in Egypt June Presidential Election Run-off
Elections in Egypt June 16-17 Presidential Election Run-off Middle East and North Africa International Foundation for Electoral Systems 1850 K Street, NW Fifth Floor Washington, DC 20006 www.ifes.org June
More informationCenter for Strategic & Regional Studies
Center for Strategic & Regional Studies Kabul Weekly Analysis-Issue Number 260 (July 14-21, 2018) Weekly Analysis is one of CSRS publications, which significantly analyses weekly economic and political
More informationAIHRC-UNAMA Joint Monitoring of Political Rights Presidential and Provincial Council Elections First Report 25 April 12 June 2009
Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission AIHRC AIHRC-UNAMA Joint Monitoring of Political Rights Presidential and Provincial Council Elections First Report 25 April 12 June 2009 United Nations Assistance
More informationHomepage. Web. 14 Oct <
Civilian Casualties Rise Naweed Barikzai 1 A report on civilian casualties, published by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) evaluates civilian casualties in the first six months
More informationAfghanistan. With the 2014 deadline for a complete 3.5 BACKGROUND
AFGHANISTAN 75 3.5 M i s s i o n R e v i e w s Afghanistan With the 2014 deadline for a complete withdrawal of international forces looming, the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) confronts perhaps
More informationElections in Egypt May Presidential Election
Elections in Egypt May 23-24 Presidential Election Middle East and North Africa International Foundation for Electoral Systems 1850 K Street, NW Fifth Floor Washington, DC 20006 www.ifes.org May 4, 2012
More informationRegime Collapse and a US Withdrawal from Afghanistan
Regime Collapse and a US Withdrawal from Afghanistan May 8, 2017 No one is willing to acknowledge the extent of the challenge in Afghanistan. Originally produced on May 1, 2017 for Mauldin Economics, LLC
More informationSome of these scenarios might play out during elections. Before the Elections
Nigeria Elections and Violence: National Level Scenarios It is acknowledged that below scenarios represent partial analysis and only some of the scenarios that may come to pass. Indeed, this is not an
More informationExternal Voting for Afghanistan s 2004 Presidential Election
Catinca Slavu External Voting for Afghanistan s 2004 Presidential Election Extending the franchise beyond national borders is an increasingly common feature of electoral processes, as it is thought to
More informationIslamic Republic of Afghanistan. Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Statement by H.E. Prof. Dr. Mohammad Qasim Hashimzai, At the 55 th Session of the
Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs Statement by H.E. Prof. Dr. Mohammad Qasim Hashimzai, At the 55 th Session of the Geneva 10 July 2013 Distinguished Members of the Committee,
More informationAzerbaijan Elections and After
Azerbaijan Elections and After Human Rights Watch Briefing Paper November 18, 2005 Introduction...2 The Pre-election Campaign... 2 Election Day... 3 Post-Election Period... 3 Recommendations...5 Freedom
More informationMigrants and external voting
The Migration & Development Series On the occasion of International Migrants Day New York, 18 December 2008 Panel discussion on The Human Rights of Migrants Facilitating the Participation of Migrants in
More informationSPEECH BY SHRI NAVIN B.CHAWLA AS ELECTION COMMISSIONER OF INDIA
SPEECH BY SHRI NAVIN B.CHAWLA AS ELECTION COMMISSIONER OF INDIA ON THE OCCASION OF THE INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR ON MEDIA AND ELECTIONS AT MEXICO, October, 17-19, 2005 India s constitutional and electoral
More informationCenter for Strategic & Regional Studies
Center for Strategic & Regional Studies Kabul Weekly Analysis-Issue Number 248 (April 14-21, 2018) Weekly Analysis is one of CSRS publications, which significantly analyses weekly economic and political
More informationA SURVEY OF PUBLIC PERCEPTION ON ELECTIONS AND CIVIC EDUCATION AFGHANISTAN
A SURVEY OF PUBLIC PERCEPTION ON ELECTIONS AND CIVIC EDUCATION AFGHANISTAN KEY FINDINGS APRIL 2013 This publication was produced by Democracy International, Inc., for the United States Agency for International
More informationAfghanistan beyond 2014: Elections, Political Settlement, Reforms Recommendations from Afghan Civil Society
Afghanistan beyond 2014: Elections, Political Settlement, Reforms Recommendations from Afghan Civil Society As international troops begin to withdraw from Afghanistan, it is important to focus on strengthening
More informationOperation OMID PANJ January 2011 Naweed Barikzai 1
Operation OMID PANJ January 2011 Naweed Barikzai 1 With the passage of every day, as the security situation becomes more volatile in Afghanistan, international forces in coordination with the Afghan National
More informationUnited States Institute for Peace April 20, 2011 Panel Discussion Post-Election Haiti: What Happens Next?
United States Institute for Peace April 20, 2011 Panel Discussion Post-Election Haiti: What Happens Next? Presentation by Jim Swigert, Senior Associate, National Democratic Institute (as prepared for delivery)
More informationCenter for Strategic & Regional Studies
Center for Strategic & Regional Studies Kabul Weekly Analysis-Issue Number 186 (December 17-24, 2016) Weekly Analysis is one of CSRS publications, which significantly analyses weekly economic and political
More informationCampaigning in General Elections (HAA)
Campaigning in General Elections (HAA) Once the primary season ends, the candidates who have won their party s nomination shift gears to campaign in the general election. Although the Constitution calls
More informationAFGHANISTAN MINISTRY OF JUSTICE OFFICIAL GAZETTE
ھ.ش ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF AFGHANISTAN MINISTRY OF JUSTICE OFFICIAL GAZETTE Extraordinary Issue Election Law Date:25 th SEPTEMBER.2016 ISSUE NO :(1226) Election Law Issue No. 1226 0 ELECTION LAW Chapter One
More informationCountry Summary January 2005
Country Summary January 2005 Afghanistan Despite some improvements, Afghanistan continued to suffer from serious instability in 2004. Warlords and armed factions, including remaining Taliban forces, dominate
More informationPractical Experiences on Political Finance
Practical Experiences on Political Finance (Afghan and Canadian Examples) Prepared by: Phea SAT Program Coordinator (Election/Political Finance Law) Edited by: Robert A. Patterson Chief of Party/Country
More informationBarriers to Greater Participation by Women in Afghan Elections
OFFICE OF THE SPECIAL INSPECTOR GENERAL FOR AFGHANISTAN RECONSTRUCTION Barriers to Greater Participation by Women in Afghan Elections October 28, 2009 SIGAR Audit 10 1 Women s Participation in Elections
More informationPress Conference Transcript 19 February Launch of Annual Report 2012: Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict
Transcript PRESS CONFERENCE (near verbatim transcript) Launch of Annual Report 2012: Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict Ján Kubiš, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan;
More informationCOUNTRY REPORT. Parliamentary Elections in Afghanistan Democracy without Parties?
COUNTRY REPORT /afghanistan Parliamentary Elections in Afghanistan Democracy without Parties? For Afghanistan the election year 2010 is the bloodiest year since the Taliban regime was expelled from power.
More informationThe Constitutional Oversight Commission in a Standoff with President Ghani: Defending their independence or covering up mistakes?
The Constitutional Oversight Commission in a Standoff with President Ghani: Defending their independence or covering up mistakes? Author : Ali Yawar Adili Published: 4 August 2017 Downloaded: 6 September
More informationISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF AFGHANISTAN
Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF AFGHANISTAN PRESIDENTIAL AND PROVINCIAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS 5 April and 14 June 2014 OSCE/ODIHR ELECTION SUPPORT TEAM REPORT Warsaw
More informationElections in the Gambia 2017 Parliamentary Elections
Elections in the Gambia 2017 Parliamentary Elections Africa International Foundation for Electoral Systems 2011 Crystal Drive Floor 10 Arlington, VA 22202 www.ifes.org April 4, 2017 When is Election Day?...
More informationBASED OBSERVATION OF A CITIZEN GROUP OF OBSERVERS
PRELIMINARY STATEMENT of the STATISTICALLY BASED OBSERVATION OF A CITIZEN GROUP OF OBSERVERS On the Results of the Election Day Observation of the October 15, 2008 Presidential Election of the Republic
More informationEUROPEAN PARLIAMENT Account of the mission to observe the parliamentary elections in Afghanistan September 2005
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT Account of the mission to observe the parliamentary elections in Afghanistan 15-20 September 2005 Leader of the delegation: Mr José Ignacio Salafranca Sánchez-Neyra 28 March 2006 INTRODUCTION
More informationThe International Republican Institute. Advancing Democracy Worldwide
The International Republican Institute Advancing Democracy Worldwide Afghanistan Presidential and Provincial Council Elections August 20, 2009 Election Observation Mission 2 International Republican Institute
More informationSubmission to the Inquiry into and report on all aspects of the conduct of the 2016 Federal Election and matters related thereto
Submission to the Inquiry into and report on all aspects of the conduct of the 2016 Federal Election and matters related thereto Addressed to: Committee Secretary Joint Standing Committee on Electoral
More informationELECTION SUPPORT TEAM to AFGHANISTAN. Recommendations on 2005 PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS
SEC.GAL/209/05 5 October 2005 OSCE+ ENGLISH only Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe ELECTION SUPPORT TEAM to AFGHANISTAN Recommendations on 2005 PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS 6 October 2005
More informationPOST-ELECTION INTERIM REPORT 29 October 6 November November 2012
OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Election Observation Mission Ukraine Parliamentary Elections, 28 October 2012 I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY POST-ELECTION INTERIM REPORT 29 October 6 November
More informationShould We Vote Online? Martyn Thomas CBE FREng Livery Company Professor of Information Technology Gresham College
Should We Vote Online? Martyn Thomas CBE FREng Livery Company Professor of Information Technology Gresham College 1 Principles of Democratic Election Venice Commission universal: in principle, all humans
More informationCampaign finance oversight in the 2009 Presidential elections in Afghanistan
IFES Political Finance White Paper Series, No 7 Campaign finance oversight in the 2009 Presidential elections in Afghanistan Building the foundation of democracy Cover picture: Campaign Finance Controllers
More informationPRESS BRIEFING BY UNITED NATIONS DEPUTY SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL NICHOLAS HAYSOM
Transcript TRANSCRIPT PRESS BRIEFING BY UNITED NATIONS DEPUTY SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL NICHOLAS HAYSOM (near-verbatim; edited for clarity) Kabul Monday, 31 March 2014 *** Nicholas
More informationSpeech to SOLACE National Elections Conference 16 January 2014 Peter Wardle
Opening remarks Thank you. Speech to SOLACE National Elections Conference 16 January 2014 Peter Wardle It s good to have the chance to speak to the SOLACE Elections Conference again. I will focus today
More informationBRIEFING WOMEN S RIGHTS IN AFGHANISTAN
BRIEFING WOMEN S RIGHTS IN AFGHANISTAN WOMEN S RIGHTS IN AFGHANISTAN Executive Summary Having first arrived as part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in 2001, UK troops are due to withdraw
More informationElections in Nepal 2018 Presidential Elections
Elections in Nepal 2018 Presidential Elections Asia-Pacific International Foundation for Electoral Systems 2011 Crystal Drive Floor 10 Arlington, VA 22202 www.ifes.org March 9, 2018 When is Election Day?...
More informationElections in Liberia 2017 Presidential Run-Off Election
Elections in Liberia 2017 Presidential Run-Off Election Africa International Foundation for Electoral Systems 2011 Crystal Drive Floor 10 Arlington, VA 22202 www.ifes.org December 19, 2017 When is the
More informationVoting and Elections
Voting and Elections General Elections Voters have a chance to vote in two kinds of elections: primary and general In a Primary election, voters nominate candidates from their political party In a General
More informationELECTIONS IN THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA
ELECTIONS IN THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA 2 AUGUST 1992 Report of The International Republican Institute THE ELECTIONS 2 August 1992 On 2 August 1992, voters living on the territory of the Republic of Croatia
More informationThe Jordanian Electoral Law and International and National Standards
V E R A N S T A L T U N G S B E I T R A G The Jordanian Electoral Law and International and National Standards Event: Internatio nal Workshop Date/Place: June 12 th, 2010, GrandHyatt Hotel Amman Conception:
More informationLaw on the Election of Commune/Sangkat Council
Law on the Election of Commune/Sangkat Council Chapter 1: General Provisions Article 1: The purpose of this law is to determine the administration and the conduct of the election of commune/sangkat council.
More informationPress Conference March Dr Sima Samar, Chairperson of Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC)
Press Conference PRESS CONFERENCE (near verbatim transcript) Ivan Simonovic, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights Dr Sima Samar, Chairperson of Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC)
More informationTeachers Guide. Teacher Aims :
Teachers Guide Teacher Aims : To provide teachers with classroom activities and teaching materials based around the National Assembly for Wales and the electoral system. Teacher Objectives : To enable
More informationIGAD ELECTION OBSERVATION MISSION TO THE PRESIDENTIAL AND PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS IN UGANDA PRELIMINARY REPORT
IGAD ELECTION OBSERVATION MISSION TO THE PRESIDENTIAL AND PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS IN UGANDA PRELIMINARY REPORT 19 th February 2016 I. Introduction 1. This is a Preliminary Report of the IGAD Election Observer
More informationAfghanistan Election Conundrum (13): New voter registry too good to be true
Afghanistan Election Conundrum (13): New voter registry too good to be true Author : Scott Worden Published: 28 August 2018 Downloaded: 6 September 2018 Download URL: https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/wp-admin/post.php
More informationRole of Political and Legal Systems. Unit 5
Role of Political and Legal Systems Unit 5 Political Labels Liberal call for peaceful and gradual change of the nations political system, would like to see the government involved in the promotion of the
More informationZambia. Presidential Elections
January 2009 country summary Zambia Zambia is at a political crossroads after President Levy Mwanawasa died in August 2008. Largely credited with Zambia s economic recovery, including growth of more than
More informationTackling Corruption and Aid Management in Afghanistan. January Sayed Maisam Wahidi 1
Tackling Corruption and Aid Management in Afghanistan January 2011 Sayed Maisam Wahidi 1 At the heart of the Transition by 2014 debate, by when Afghans are supposed to take over the complete responsibility
More informationVoting for Democracy
Voting for Democracy Conference of Commonwealth Chief Election Officers Queens College Cambridge - 23-26 March 1998 COUNTRY PAPER: TANZANIA Mr Alex T Banzi, Director of Elections, Tanzania Commonwealth
More informationMedia Monitoring Report
Media Monitoring Report Monitoring Officer: Mohammad Aziz Akramzada Monitoring Period: Thursday 06, Jun, 2013 Ethnic Politics: A Dangerous Fault Line An eight day long hunger strike by Kabul University
More informationNATIONAL DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTE JAMAICA TRIP REPORT April 11, 2002
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTE JAMAICA TRIP REPORT April 11, 2002 Introduction The National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) conducted a political assessment mission to Jamaica from
More informationSTATEMENT OF THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTE/CARTER CENTER PRE-ELECTION ASSESSMENT OF THE PALESTINIAN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS
STATEMENT OF THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTE/CARTER CENTER PRE-ELECTION ASSESSMENT OF THE PALESTINIAN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS Jerusalem, 06 January 2006 Introduction This statement has been prepared
More information6 December Excellency,
HAUT-COMMISSARIAT AUX DROITS DE L HOMME OFFICE OF THE HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS PALAIS DES NATIONS 1211 GENEVA 10, SWITZERLAND www.ohchr.org TEL: +41 22 917 9000 FAX: +41 22 917 9008 E-MAIL: registry@ohchr.org
More informationElections in Haiti October 25 General Elections
Elections in Haiti October 25 General Elections Frequently Asked Questions Americas International Foundation for Electoral Systems 1850 K Street, NW Fifth Floor Washington, D.C. 20006 www.ifes.org October
More informationOVERVIEW OF THE LEGISLATION FOR THE NATIONAL ELECTIONS IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO (DRC)
OVERVIEW OF THE LEGISLATION FOR THE NATIONAL ELECTIONS IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO (DRC) This overview focuses on three pieces of legislation that provide the framework for elections: 1 Law No.
More informationStudent Instruction Sheet Unit 2 Lesson 4 WHAT HAPPENS DURING AN ELECTION?
Student Instruction Sheet Unit 2 Lesson 4 Suggested time: 1 hour WHAT HAPPENS DURING AN ELECTION? What s important in this lesson: To gain an understanding of how elections are conducted and how our representatives
More information3.1. Afghanistan. Background AFGHANISTAN UNAMA 03/2002 ISAF 12/2001. HQ EUPOL AFGHANISTAN 06/2007 Rawalpindi. Qurghonteppa (Kurgan-Tyube) Kerki
3.1 Afghanistan AFGHANISTAN The year 2010 in Afghanistan was shaped by the agreements reached at the London Conference held on 28 January, co-chaired by the government of Afghanistan, the United Kingdom,
More informationSTATEMENT OF THE NDI PRE-ELECTION DELEGATION TO YEMEN S SEPTEMBER 2006 PRESIDENTIAL AND LOCAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS. Sana a, Yemen, August 16, 2006
STATEMENT OF THE NDI PRE-ELECTION DELEGATION TO YEMEN S SEPTEMBER 2006 PRESIDENTIAL AND LOCAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS I. Introduction Sana a, Yemen, August 16, 2006 This statement has been prepared by the National
More informationChecklist for Election Agents in Kenya
Checklist for Election Agents in Kenya 1 Agents Name: 2 Phone Number: 3 Constituency: 4 Polling Station Name & Number : 5 Party/ Independent candidates name: A. CHECKLIST 1.0 Opening of the Polling Station
More informationThe functioning of democratic institutions in Moldova: follow-up to Resolution 1666 (2009)
AS/Mon(2009)25 rev. 22 June 2009 amondoc25r_2009 Committee on the Honouring of Obligations and Commitments by Member States of the Council of Europe (Monitoring Committee) The functioning of democratic
More informationResource Manual on Electoral Systems in Nepal
Translation: Resource Manual on Electoral Systems in Nepal Election Commission Kantipath, Kathmandu This English-from-Nepali translation of the original booklet is provided by NDI/Nepal. For additional
More informationAFGHANISTAN A SURVEY OF THE AFGHAN PARLIAMENT KEY FINDINGS JULY 2012
AFGHANISTAN A SURVEY OF THE AFGHAN PARLIAMENT KEY FINDINGS Prepared under the Democracy and Governance Analytical Services Indefinite Quantity Contract, #DFD- I-00-04-00229-00 JULY 2012 Submitted to: USAID/Montenegro
More informationElections in Sierra Leone November 17 Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Elections
Elections in Sierra Leone November 17 Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Elections Africa International Foundation for Electoral Systems 1850 K Street, NW Fifth Floor Washington, D.C. 20006 www.ifes.org
More informationVoters' Rights Teacher s Sheet
Enrichment Activity Primary School Component Voters' Rights Teacher s Sheet Over the course of this activity, students will discover that voters have rights. They will try to rank these rights in order
More informationth Street, NW, Washington, DC t f
United States Institute of Peace p r g r e s s in Peacebuilding 1200 17th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036 t 202.457.1700 f 202.429.6063 www.usip.org February 2011 Afghanistan The Current Situation Nine
More informationTHE SEPTEMBER 2005 PARLIAMENTARY AND PROVINCIAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS IN AFGHANISTAN
THE SEPTEMBER 2005 PARLIAMENTARY AND PROVINCIAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS IN AFGHANISTAN PREPARED BY THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTE FOR INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS (NDI) Acknowledgements The National Democratic Institute
More informationUniversity of Houston Student Government Association Election Code. Updated February 17, rd Admnistration. Page 1 of 22
University of Houston Student Government Association Election Code Updated February 17, 2017 53rd Admnistration Page 1 of 22 Table of Contents Article 1: General Provisions... 4 Section 1: Purpose... 4
More informationCIVIC COALITION FOR FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS THE LEAGUE FOR DEFENCE OF HUMAN RIGHTS OF MOLDOVA - LADOM REPORT IY
Liga Apărării Drepturilor Omului din Moldova League for Defence of Human Rights of Moldova CIVIC COALITION FOR FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS THE LEAGUE FOR DEFENCE OF HUMAN RIGHTS OF MOLDOVA - LADOM REPORT IY
More informationFINAL REPORT OF MONITORING OF THE 2018 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS
FINAL REPORT OF MONITORING OF THE 2018 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS Pre-Election Observation Mission I Round Monitoring Period: August 1 - October, 27 Scope : 73 election districts Number of Observers: 68 Long-term
More informationBCGEU surveyed its own members on electoral reform. They reported widespread disaffection with the current provincial electoral system.
BCGEU SUBMISSION ON THE ELECTORAL REFORM REFERENDUM OF 2018 February, 2018 The BCGEU applauds our government s commitment to allowing British Columbians a direct say in how they vote. As one of the largest
More information