Afghanistan’s journey on the rocky road of democracy has hit another milestone as the results of the country’s presidential elections are pouring in. According to initial results, President Ashraf Ghani is leading in the September 28 election, and as was expected, his rival Abdullah Abdullah has refused to accept the results citing election fraud in polling and ballot count. Preliminary results originally due on October 19 were repeatedly delayed for technical reasons, invoking allegations of fraud from various candidates. According to the Afghan election commission, the turnout in the presidential election was more than 1.8 million, which is not massive, but these voters braved threats by the Taliban. Of the polled votes, Ghani secured 50.64 per cent, which gives him a comfortable lead to win the first round over his main challenger, Abdullah Abdullah. The war-torn country had to delay the polls for months while militants wreaked havoc with bombings and target killing.
Pakistan has welcomed the continuity of the process of elections and promised that it will continue supporting Afghanistan’s democratic process, which is vital for political stability of the country. Pakistan remained short of congratulating Ghani, but the president has already made his victory speech. “With the announcement, we are moving now from darkness to light and from uncertainty to a bright future,” he told a jubilant crowd gathered at the presidential palace in Kabul. On the other hand, the US has also extended a measured response to the results.
“It is important for Afghans to remember these results are preliminary. Many steps remain before final election results are certified, to ensure the Afghan people have confidence in the results,” John Bass, the US ambassador to Afghanistan, said in a post on Twitter.
Afghanistan has seen much bloodbath but a peaceful disagreement on election results should not plunge the country into turmoil again. Abdullah Abdullah’s allegations regarding poll fraud should be investigated. At the same time, his supporters who blocked the road to the election commission should only adopt democratic practices to record their protest. This is not the first time such controversy has arisen out of Afghan elections. In 2014, both Ghani and Abdullah alleged massive fraud by the other. Then the United States intervened and brokered an odd power-sharing formula. The arrangements under which Ghani was elected president and Abdullah chief executive worked smoothly for five years.
Let us see if the country will go for another power-sharing formula or result-based government. *