A Senior official of Afghanistan’s Independent Election Commission has announced on Tuesday that the country expects to hold its next presidential elections in April 2014, almost coinciding with the withdrawal of the International troops from the country. After this step, one year after a new president takes power, the legislative election are scheduled to take place.
According to the Afghan constitution, the president can only govern for two terms. Consequently, the current president, Hamid Karzai, is barred from the presidential race. Karzai has expressed his commitment to the constitution and has confirmed that the end of his command will take place in less than two years. This move aims to demonstrate the process of political transition in Afghanistan and the support of the government for a democratic system.However, the decision gives room to uncertainty and a sea of questions inside and outside Afghanistan. Certainly, a smooth political transition is a big challenge in a country plagued by corruption and instability. To this, we have to add that there is still no clear plan in place that could predict the different outcomes of a transfer of power in Afghanistan. What could happen in a post-Karzai Afghanistan?
Regarding the electoral system, no census has been created yet for the voters,and the controversial electoral law is still in place. In addition to this, the opposition has no proved being mature enough to deliver new strong leaders or to present itself as a convincing force.
It cannot be denied that this scenario brings new opportunities to the Afghan political arena. Nevertheless, reforming the outdated electoral system and strengthening the current political opposition in such a short period of time requires an immense effort, and not only from the Afghan government. The United States and United Nations must provide development assistance and help Afghanistan to celebrate fair, free-fraud and democratic elections. They should, as well, pay real attention to the building process of a stable country and to the process of political transition.These conditions, however,are risky at a time when both institutions are far more concerned about their own difficulties.
The next presidential elections are crucial to Afghanistan. A failure to hold credible elections or a possible extension of Karzai’s power would probably lead to demonstrations and civil conflicts that would worsen and further destabilize the country. On the contrary, the celebration of successful elections would mean a step forward towards a free, stable country.