Strong and independent democratic institutions are a cornerstone and perquisite for democracy. As long as institutions considered to be symbolizing democracy are not impartial and independent, democratic values cannot be institutionalized in a society. Afghanistan is paying a huge price for the same issue. Although election has been accepted in the country as a peaceful means of transition of political power over the last two decades, the entities responsible for managing elections have not become as strong as if they can prevent the interference of internal and foreign circles in their affairs. In some instances, these institutions pave the way for the interference and influence of foreign actors, which not only have not contributed to the strengthening of democratic values in Afghanistan but have also come under fire and faced with challenges with regard to those values in their own countries.
Last week, Iranian ambassador in Kabul had paid a visit to the Independent Election Commission (IEC), and met with election commissioners. In a press release, IEC had quoted the Iranian envoy as saying the September 28 presidential election had been relatively free of problems compared to previously elections, and that Tehran backed the election results. There is no doubt Iran is Afghanistan’s regionally influential neighbor, but Tehran’s interference in Afghan election is on no account justifiable. It has not provided any financial or technical assistance to Afghanistan’s election, thus there is no need for the country to comment on the election. Afghan people know better than anyone else about the nature and extent of the problems in their election.
Afghanistan’s national institutions must become independent. Instead of seeking to render legitimacy to the election in the eyes of foreigners, the leadership of election commissions must respect the will of its own people, thereby restoring the lost public faith in the electoral process. Afghans went to the polls to elect their president, and only they can render legitimacy to the election. Any kind of foreign interference other than technical assistance can plunge Afghanistan into another electoral crisis. Election commissioners should have learned lessons from the destructive role of foreigners in previous elections, and not repeated the past mistakes and failed experience.
Election institutions do not need the consent and satisfaction of foreigners for the legitimacy of their decisions. They must adhere to the voices and will of their people than foreigners’, and impartially declare the transparent results of the presidential election.