The upcoming presidential election is a great opportunity, but it is also a cloud on the horizon. If not handled and utilized properly, not only will it not steer the country out of the existing woes, but also it can also further plunge the country into a crisis. All sides involved in Afghan politics must carefully analyze the opportunity and the threat, and take actions that at least should not lead to more tensions if they cannot contribute to rectify the situation.
As part of preparations for the 2019 presidential election, some electoral tickets are intending to increase the number of presidential running mates or create an executive prime ministerial post. Without amending the Constitution of Afghanistan through a due process (a Constitutional Loya Jirga), such propositions are in blatant violation of the Constitution that must not go unanswered. The international community and Afghan political sides that respect the Constitution should not allow anyone to imprudently commit such a gross constitutional violation.
Afghan problem cannot be solved by adding more vice presidents or creation of a premiership slot to the government system. Electoral teams lacking a specific platform compliant with the country’s Constitution, which is the best in the region, to get the country out of the current predicament are trying to appease some political figures, who are thought to have “vote banks”, through such illegal means. These moves are not meant to ensure good governance or bring about reforms; they are merely illegal government concessions to individuals who have no manifesto for improving the situation, but have constituents on the basis of ethnic or religious reservations.
The struggle of any political party or structure to ascend to power in Afghanistan should not be in violation of the Constitution. The lack of respect for the country’s laws, including the Constitution, is actually one of the major factors to be blamed for the current problems. The creation of the National Unity Government is one textbook example. If preference for political deals over laws could solve the problem, the current government should have already gotten the country out of the crisis, while it is crystal clear that Afghanistan witnessed a reverse trend during the incumbent government on multiple fronts, from security to economic and to the political situation. How an electoral ticket formed against the Constitution should be expected to abide by the Constitution and serve the country and people.
