PROGRESS AND PITFALLS OF “PEACE-BUILDING” IN AFGHANISTAN continues....

Afghanistan’s tumultuous and non-democratic history raises initial

questions about the democratic attitudes of the Afghan public and the potential of growth of these attitudes. There are many positive elements of the contemporary political culture, but also areas where challenges remain.

The perceptions of fraud, combined with the weak candidate vetting process, undermined the perceived credibility of the elections in the eyes of many Afghans.

These perceptions, however, were much

stronger in some provinces than in others. Reportedly, most voters on

election day seemed happy with the organisation and conduct of the polling. There were relatively few observations or allegations of fraud and

intimidation except for some voters being paid for their votes, and for

partisan JEMB staff and party agents trying to influence the decisions of

confused voters in polling booths.

Most of the complaints about the

electoral process in Herat were made during the weeks following the

election and focused on the counting process. In Kandahar, however,

which the JEMB acknowledged was one of the most problematic provinces, there were widespread complaints of electoral crimes committed on election day, especially in rural areas, as well as of gross irregularities during the counting process. It is much less clear, however,

the extent to which this relatively positive assessment reflects the views of

the majority of Afghans.

While reliable public opinion polling data do not exist, the interviews conducted as well as local media reporting suggest

that there is a widespread perception among Afghans that the 2005

elections were marred by weak candidate vetting, fraud and intimidation.

For example the single largest comprehensive public opinion poll conducted in Afghanistan by the Asia Foundation finds that while the vast majority of Afghans express support for democracy as the best form of government, there are also tensions between support for democratic values in the abstract and a willingness to apply these values in specific instances.

Moreover these sentiments are relatively equal across major ethnic or religious groupings, and regions within the country.

Afghans also express general support for key democratic values, such as

equality of women and minority rights.

To be continued.......