The current Independent Election Commission (IEC) is perhaps Afghanistan’s most unsuccessful body. It could not hold the Wolesi Jirga election with relative transparency and as scheduled even after a three-year delay. IEC constantly flouted timetables it had announced for the parliamentary polls. Due to IEC’s poor management, the Wolesi Jirga elections were riddled with enormous problems that were unprecedented in the history of election in Afghanistan. The irregularities on the day of election, a vast portion of which could be prevented had IEC had robust management, were quite embarrassing.
After the election, the electoral bodies were expected to try to redress their past mistakes by at least announcing the election results on time, but a three-month delay in the announcement of the results substantiated IEC’s debacle. The parliamentary election was held three months ago, but IEC declared the preliminary results for Kabul province which is the biggest constituency in the country yesterday. It repeatedly betrayed its promises in this regard. Government leaders – President Ghani and CEO Abdullah – are to blame for the failure to manage election as much as the electoral institutions. The government wasted three years under the pretext of electoral reforms, which only focused on the reshuffle of election management team, while the electoral system remained untouched. Even the replacement of election commissioners did not prove effective, as the new commissioners lacked not only relevant experience but also impartiality and decisiveness. This flaw is actually the root of the existing problems in the election process.
Given their record, it is unreasonable to expect the incumbent electoral bodies to hold a transparent presidential election. Now that the presidential poll has been delayed for three months, it is a good opportunity to bring meaningful reform in the electoral system and institutions, one that is not limited to changes in election officials. The government should identify and logically correct the main flaws and vulnerabilities of the electoral system. If the reforms once again involve only the replacement of election officials, the upcoming presidential election may trigger even a bigger political crisis.
