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August 19, 2004
Jean Freedberg (202) 728-5527 (Washington DC)
NDI PRE-ELECTION ASSESSMENT MISSION ISSUES STATEMENT ON
AFGHANISTAN ELECTORAL AND DEMOCRATIC PROCESSES
AFGHANISTAN ELECTORAL AND DEMOCRATIC PROCESSES
Kabul, Afghanistan—An international delegation from the National Democratic Institute (NDI) today released a statement summarizing its findings on the state of the electoral and democratic process in Afghanistan. The full statement may be viewed at www.ndi.org.
The delegation members were: Zlatko Lagumdzija, Chairman of the Social Democratic Party and former Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina; Paula Newberg, Guest Scholar at the Brookings Institution and Senior Advisor to NDI; Mark Braden, election law expert and former Chief Counsel to the U.S. Republican National Committee; and Patrick Merloe, NDI Senior Associate and Director of NDI Programs on Election and Political Processes.
During its visit to Afghanistan, the delegation held meetings with a wide range of Afghan political and civic leaders, governmental and electoral authorities, and representatives of the international community. The purpose of the delegation was to assess the political environment in Afghanistan as the October 9 presidential election approaches, and to look ahead to the upcoming 2005 parliamentary, provincial and district council elections.
The delegation noted: "The October 9 and the 2005 elections are not end points in democracy building by Afghans, nor should they be an 'exit strategy' for the international community. They must be parts of sustained and comprehensive efforts to develop democratic governance and sustainable peace, which requires sufficient time and a comprehensive common plan for nation building. These efforts are a matter for the people of Afghanistan and their leaders. The efforts require and deserve the full commitment of the international community acting in partnership with Afghans."
The delegation also noted achievements to date, including registering a large number of Afghans-up to 90 % according to official estimates-and mobilizing civic organizations to conduct voter education and encourage public participation in the election. The delegation expressed concern about the decision to hold the presidential election in October and the parliamentary elections in the spring.
This will mean that the newly elected president will serve for several months unchecked by an elected legislature. The delegation called on the presidential candidates to pledge that, if elected, they would not abuse their power of the executive branch during this critical period.
In addition, the delegation recommended ways in which public confidence in the electoral process could be strengthened. These include: greater transparency in decision-making on electoral laws; ensuring that all aspects of the electoral process are open to domestic and international observers; ensuring security at the polls for all participants; and training of poll workers. In addition, it pointed to the need for expanding voter education, and swiftly announcing the election results.
Looking ahead, the delegation called on the international community to commit resources to the process by completing the job of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) and providing resources for civic education, domestic monitoring, and security, and for strengthening an independent media.
"The delegation members were impressed with the enthusiasm of those Afghans with whom we met," said Patrick Merloe. "These individuals see the October 9 presidential election, and the subsequent parliamentary, provincial and district council elections in 2005, as an opportunity to express their political will as well as exercise their fundamental rights as citizens of this country."
NDI is a nonprofit organization working to strengthen and expand democracy worldwide. Calling on a global network of volunteer experts, NDI provides practical assistance to civic and political leaders advancing democratic values, practices and institutions. NDI works with democrats in every region of the world to build political and civic organizations, safeguard elections, and to promote citizen participation, openness and accountability in government.
NDI has been operating in Afghanistan since March 2002, working to strengthen political parties and civil society organizations. NDI is operating seven political party resource centers throughout the country which are designed to assist parties and civic groups to effectively participate in the political process.
For more information about NDI and its programs around the world, please visit our website at www.ndi.org