The Independent Election Commission (IEC) on Monday announced the preliminary results of Wolesi Jirga election for Kabul province and Kuchis after an almost three-month delay. The election commission has been under fire for allegations of fraud and tampering with the results of the parliamentary election, especially in Kabul. Even there are claims that the results were postponed because of financial bargaining between IEC officials and some candidates over securing seats in the parliament. The results show that the will of people has once again been disrespected.
After the announcement of election results by IEC, it is the responsibility of the Independent Electoral Complaints Commission (IECC) to ensure electoral justice by making sure the results are fair, transparent and free of fraud, and that the candidates who have genuine votes become members of Wolesi Jirga. Instead of caving in to the rich and powerful, IECC should respect the will of people, who defied security threats and numerous other challenges to go to the polls. Despite the fact that the front runners in the 2014 presidential election gave preference to a power-sharing deal brokered by Former US Secretary of State John Kerry over millions of votes, Afghan people came out in large numbers to cast their votes in the previous parliamentary election with the hope that their votes will be respected and that they could play a part in shaping their own and their country’s future. They hoped their votes will be counted transparently, and would be able to elect individuals for the parliament who would truly represent them other than pursue their personal interests.
Now IECC is the only hope and the ball is in its court to deliver that justice. It must address all documented complaints by applying the existing electoral procedures and regulations. While it seems less practical that IECC will ensure complete transparency in the election results, it has got the opportunity to ensure a relative transparency. If it manages to ensure a relative justice, Afghan people, who have lost their faith in electoral processes, will have a reason to participate in the upcoming presidential election. Otherwise, people will never trust the democratic process, which will lower the voter turnout in future elections, because when they become certain that their votes don’t bring about any change, how they will convince themselves to risk life and limb for something that makes no difference in their life.
The international community, civil society organizations, and the candidates should jointly press the Independent Electoral Complaints Commission to impartially investigate all documented complaints, and strive to make sure the candidates who have genuine votes make it to the final list.