There is a popular saying that “Democracy dies in the Darkness.” Any politician who is trying to hide key national issues from the public eye faces with question of transparency, and cannot win public trust. In a democratic society, citizens demand transparency in governance. They have the right to know whether or not individuals who claim to be their leaders have the merit and prowess of leadership. Election campaign is a good opportunity for the masses to exercise their right and determine who have the necessary qualification to rule their country, and can be trusted.
President Ghani nixed at the last minute a live televised debate with his main election rival and government partner, Chief Executive Officer Dr. Abdullah Abdullah. President Ghani and CEO Abdullah, who are considered the frontrunners in the September 28 presidential election, were expected to show up in a debate organized by Ariana News, a local TV broadcaster, but the president refused to take part in a TV debate just minutes before it could actually kick off.
In a statement, the Presidential Palace said the president was not willing to take part in a debate with a presidential candidate who “has no platform and agenda for the country’s future”. The pretext of President Ghani’s ticket for his refusal to appear in the debate is on no account justifiable. In case of Abdullah’s lack of plans, President Ghani even had a greater opportunity to inform the public of his shortcoming, and prove to the people that he is competing with a person who is running in three presidential elections, but still lacks plans for the country.
Whether President Ghani’s team accepts it or not, Abdullah is their main rival in the upcoming election. If the president is not considering him a serious contender, why should tens of millions of dollars be spent? They are the main challengers of the election.
Participation in debates and telling people about programs and plans is not a favor but responsibility of the presidential candidates. Now that Ghani did not partake in the TV debate, he must appear in future debates. The president and his chief executive officer blame the failure of the National Unity Government on each other; therefore, both of them need to explain to the people in a public debate that who was responsible for the failures of the government over the last five years, and whom people can trust as their leader in the future. No candidate, including President Ghani, can win the upcoming election by keeping the people in the dark.
