With the presidential election nearing, the National Unity Government’s leadership is under increasing criticism by opposition leaders. The majority of presidential runners are concerned over President Ghani’s intention to use public resources for his reelection bid in the upcoming election. Speaking at a press conference in Kabul on Monday, the presidential hopefuls, including Hanif Atmar, the former national security advisor who is seen to be President Ghani’s arch rival, accused government leaders of mounting a massive purge of political rivals from the administration. He claimed that at least 12 high ranking officials who had pledged allegiance to his ticket, Peace and Moderation, have recently been either fired or forced to resign. He also criticized the government for the unilateral dismissal of electoral commissioners, stressing that the alliance of presidential runners was not consulted on the decision. Atmar even went on to propose that the coming election should be held by a caretaker government as the current administration’s term ends on May 22, nearly two months before presidential election on July 20.
Consultations and coordination with stakeholders in all decision-makings related to election is essential. The government leadership should not try to stir new disagreements under the pretext of reforms. Electoral reforms require public support as do any other national decisions, and that is possible only when all sides are consulted with. The government leadership should make sure there is coordination and consultation with election stakeholders in decisions that can provoke concerns, and take steps that can help ensure a transparent and fair election.
The continuation of disaccord between government leaders and presidential candidates can plunge the upcoming presidential election into another crisis no less than that of the 2014 presidential election. Thus, efforts should be made from now to avoid the scenario from happening again through securing the trust of all sides by bringing them on board. The government, whose term is ending in the near future, must refrain from making unilateral actions so that the situation doesn’t escalate to an extent where the candidates and voters lose trust in the election process and therefore refuse to accept the results way prior to holding the election. Meanwhile, the candidates also need to reach an agreement with the government on a workable mechanism for election, and work together to pave the way for an election in which the votes of people will be counted and will decide the country’s future leadership.
