Afghanistan Parliamentary Election Postponed; Karzai States Plan For Rebuilding
February 2, 2010
By: Randi Zung

On January 24, the Independent Election Commission (IEC) of Afghanistan announced that it would postpone the country’s parliamentary elections until September 18, 2010.  The election, which was originally scheduled for May 2010, is reportedly being postponed due to lack of funding and security concerns within the country, the New York Times reports.  BBC News reports that President Hamid Karzai expressed that he wanted the parliamentary elections to be held in May 2010, as originally scheduled.  Following Karzai’s controversial election win, the country’s parliament has continually rejected Karzai’s nominations for the cabinet. 

In addition, BBC News states the parliamentary election will reportedly cost approximately 120 million dollars, and the IEC is currently seeking 50 million dollars from international donors.  Afghanistan is eligible to receive funding from the United Nations, but only if the country makes certain necessary electoral reforms.  Voice of America reports that Western countries spent more than 220 million dollars during Afghanistan’s 2009 presidential election.

According to CNN, the postponement of the vote is being welcomed by the international community, who has been urging Afghanistan to delay all elections until the country’s voting procedures undergo reform.  There has been doubt over whether Afghanistan is capable of holding free and fair elections after the country’s 2009 presidential election was found to be marred with widespread election fraud.  In a statement by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, they expressed that the postponement of the election will allow the country time to implement the necessary reforms.  Although there was an election commission present during the 2009 election, they were cited as failing to curb fraudulent conduct.

In London on January 28, a conference comprised of more than 60 international representatives was held to discuss Karzai’s plans to engage Taliban leaders in the reconstruction of Afghanistan.  In an interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty correspondents, Karzai stated: “During my eight years in office and until today, I have constantly spoken in favor of holding talks with the Taliban and conducting peace talks with the Taliban.”  With the newly found support of Western countries, Karzai stated that he hopes that Western governments will assist Afghanistan in the rebuilding process.  In addition, Karzai also stated that the Taliban had successfully turned a large portion of Afghani citizens against the government.  During the conference, Karzai discussed strategies for trying to unite the country.  It was agreed upon that a fund would be established to be used to buyout low-level Taliban members in order to persuade them to join the country’s new democratic government.  On January 29, a spokesman for the Taliban stated that they would “soon” announce their decision to participate in peace talks with the Afghani government.

Sources:

The New York Times - Afghanistan Postpones Parliamentary Election by 4 Months

Voice of America - Afghan Parliament Elections Postponed to September

CNN - Afghanistan postpones parliamentary election until fall

BBC News - Afghanistan parliamentary election postponed

RFE/RL - Karzai Says He Has Always Favored Peace Talks With Taliban

www.ccd21.org