Lack of rule of law and respect for principles promotes and institutionalizes injustice and violation of laws. When a player in a contest flouts rules and does not face the consequences, others will also try to pattern themselves on the violator because they know they will not be punished. In the power game of Afghanistan’s politics, the foundation of an unfavorable practice was unfortunately laid when the 2014 presidential election became controversial. When allegations of an industrial-scale fraud escalated, the two leading candidates – President Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah – preferred a political deal to rule of law in the pretext of salvaging the country from plunging into a political chaos. The deal violated the Constitution, and gave birth to a government structure that had not been envisioned in the Constitution. While the National Unity Government (NUG) was doomed to be a complete fiasco from its inception, the thirst of the two frontrunners for power prompted them to acquiesce to joint work under an arrangement whose chance of success was almost zero.
Although electoral reforms were a major commitment of the NUG agreement, the government did not succeed in creating an electoral system and commissions that could win the trust of election candidates besides voters. The presidential election is due to take place just over two months from now, but the presidential runners are yet to agree on principles and a roadmap that can ensure acceptance of the results. The presidential contenders are accusing government NUG leaders especially President Ghani of utilizing government resources for his election campaign purposes, and see recent appointments in the government as politically motivated and part of election campaign, and therefore illegal.
If all presidential candidates fail to reach an agreement over electoral principles and procedures prior to the voting, the upcoming polls can again turn controversial, allowing for the “no concession game”. The presidential runners and their teams better assist in guaranteeing the transparency of the election since it is they and some of their loyalists that commit electoral fraud. However, if the election tickets agree not to interfere in the election and will accept the results, it can prevent Afghanistan from descending into another electoral and political crisis. If the divisions among them with regard to election continue as now, Afghanistan will not get a strong government as a result of the 2019 presidential election.
