August 12, 2018

Afghanistan bans suspected outlaws from running in nearing elections

located:	Afghanistan
editor:	Shadi Khan Saif

In a bold move during a turbulent political and security landscape, the electoral commission of Afghanistan has barred a handful of suspect outlawed individuals from contesting in the long-due elections.

Holding some sort of ‘acceptable’ elections by the standards of the country remains a daunting task for the Afghan Independence Election Commission, as vested interests coupled with ragging violence and rampant irregularities pose grim challenges.  

For this, holding the outlawed accountable for their deeds before they could buy or snatch their way to more power and perks is a prerequisite.

In a landmark development, the Independent Election Complaint Commission (IECC) has revealed on Saturday, August 11, that up to 35 candidates, including some famous names, would not be able to run for the long-due parliamentary elections. Among those removed from the list of candidates are powerful MP from the capital Kabul, Mawlawi Tarakhail, former secretary of the Independent Election Commission, Ziaulhaq Amarkhail, former warlord associated with the Hezb-e-Islami party, Zardad Faryadi, renowned female MP, Fawzia Kofi, and local warlord in Takhar province, Bashir Qanet.

In the lead up to the elections, the IECC assigned a special committee for the investigation of possible links of the candidates with illegal armed groups, as well as involvement in security issues, coordinated crimes, drug smuggling and misuse of public and private assets. The already delayed and long-due parliamentary elections are scheduled to be held in October later this year.

Such filtration on the top level is set to send across a rippling-effect for reforms and the supremacy of the law.

A significant majority of the political elite in Afghanistan comprises of the old warlords who – although take pride in the ‘Jehad’ against the invading Red Army in the 1970s and 1980s – simultaneously turn a blind eye to the  killing, atrocities and destruction they caused throughout the 1990s during the deadly quest for seizure of power among them.

In the deeply conservative Afghan society, the younger generation still avoid speaking, even the truth, in front of the elders. However, the country’s educated youth now need to come forward and not only support such moves for justice, but step in to fill the gap and take responsibility on their shoulders.

Political watchdogs, rights organisations and the vibrant Afghan media need to keep the process in check to make sure this election does not end up in a political witch-hunt.

Photo: Department of Defense - Photo link