Voters from Herat, Kandahar, Balkh, Bamian and Nangahar give their views on democracy and elections.

Afghanistan has had a short but eventful history with democratic elections – from the euphoria of 2004’s presidential poll to last year’s fraud-scarred ballot. Along the way some of the luster has been lost – turnout has decreased steadily, and some observers feel that the population is losing faith in the process.

With parliamentary elections scheduled for September 18, 2010, www.afghanistanvotes.com sets out to take the temperature of the voters, and try to predict what their reaction will be this fall.

Herat

“As an Afghan citizen I will participate in the upcoming parliamentary election,” said Zainab Ismailzada, a resident of Herat province.

Many of Herat’s citizens feel this way; with all of the attention being focused on the elections, they see it as their duty to go to the polls.

“A lot of money is being spent in holding elections these elections and trying to help democracy develop in Afghanistan,” said Mohammad Hamayun Nazari, who works for a private television stations in Herat. “We should participate.”

But not everyone is willing to give their support blindly; they demand that the candidates have the talent and competence for the job.

“I will participate in the elections if I know that the candidates are impartial and educated,” said Gulalai Mutasabzada, deputy head of the Herat department of Foreign Affairs.

But according to Mutasabzada, a number of parliamentarians are more interested in their own benefit than in their country. They have been lax in exercising their role of advice and consent with respect to the government, she added.

“The parliament has confirmed ministers who are incapable of running a ministry,” she complained. “And other ministers have never been confirmed at all. This is a catastrophe for Afghanistan and its people.”

 Some people are worried about the deteriorating security situation.

“I may participate, but I will not allow the women in my family to vote,” said Abdullah, who transports goods on his bicycle. “The security situation is not stable, and I am afraid that something may happen to them.”

Women, however, are making up their own minds.
 
“I will definitely go to the polls and vote for the candidate of my choice,” said Parwana Alizada, who works for an international media center.

Some are skeptical that the elections will bring any real benefits, to themselves or their country.

“I am twenty years old now, and have been eligible to vote for two years,” said Ilham Temori, a high school student. “But I did not get a registration card. I do not want to participate because these elections are purely symbolic.”

There are those who will vote despite all the obstacles.

“I know that people who have money and power win elections, whether they are competent or not,” said NajibHasimi, who sells gasoline in Herat city. “But I still want to participate in the elections.”

Bamian

In Bamian, one of the most secure provinces in the country, people are not worried about their safety in participating in the elections. But they do have other concerns.

“I want a candidate with a good action plan,” said a shopkeeper in Bamian city.

Ghulam Abas, 45, a former jihadi commander, is eager to promote democracy.

“Elections are the only way to prevent despotism,” he said. “In a democratic government people play their role through their elected representatives.”

Women also have their role to play in the elections. Bamian is the only province in Afghanistan to have a female governor, Habiba Sorabi.

“We should vote in order to protect the rights of women and children, and other parts of society where people’s rights are being violated,” said Salima, 22, a student at Bamian University. “How can I expect other women to participate in the elections if I do not do it myself?”

But other women have to obtain permission from their husbands of they want to go to the polls.

“I will take part in the lections if my husband lets me,” said Kubra, 55, a resident of Shah Foladi area. “And I will vote for whomever he tells me to.”

Afghanistan’s Electoral Law assures universal, direct, free and secret voting for all Afghan citizens. The Constitution also guarantees equality between the genders.

Sakina, a resodent of Yakowlang district of Bamian, said she had voted in last year’s presidential elections. A high school graduate, she exercised her right to choose her own candidate.

“My father asked me to vote for the candidate he had picked, but I made my own choice,” she said. Sakina said that she intends to vote in the parliamentary elections as well.

Some people are looking for better alternatives to their present MPs.

“Our parliamentarians have turned the legislature into a safe haven where they can make money and have fun,” said Mukhtar Ahmadi, a student at Bamian University.

Haji Abdullah would also like to find a better candidate. However, he said, if he cannot find anyone, he’ll vote for his previous choice, who at least did a little work for people.

Abdulah Barat has the opposite problem. In contravention of Afghanistan’s Single Non-Transferable Vote system (SNTV), which gives every voter only one choice, he wants to vote for everybody.

 “I have given my promise to many candidates,” he laughed. “I do not want to break their hearts, so when they ask me, I say I will vote for them.”

But Zahira, 22, a student at Bamian University, said that she had studied the candidates’ list and could not find a suitable choice.

“I will not participate in the elections because people’s votes are being misused,” she said.

Sediqa is illiterate. She has never been to school and knows nothing about elections. She says she will not go to the polls.

“There was already an election once, why are we having it again?” she asked.

Kandahar

Security is a major concern for voters in Kandahar, where the situation grows more unstable by the day. It is not yet clear how many potential voters will brave the possible consequences to go to the polls.

“God has given me the right to vote, and I want to use that vote effectively,” said Wahidullah Agah Jee 41, a resident of Kandahar city. “I want to serve my country by using my vote effectively; I want to vote for the right person.”

Many Kandaharis say they are willing to vote, but they complain that they have no accurate information about the powers and responsibilities of their representatives.

“I will vote for whoever can eliminate our problems, decrease poverty and establish peace in Afghanistan,” said a 50-year-old baker in Kandahar.

Insecurity remains a concern, however.

“I will vote if there are no rockets being fired at our polling station,” said one high-school student.

But shopkeeper Abdul Samad is not so willing.

“I will not participate in the elections because our representatives first get our votes by making promises, then start filling their pockets,” he complained. “In such a situation, whom am I supposed to vote for?”

A farmer in the province was similarly disillusioned.

“Where is the benefit in my vote?” he said. “I voted before, but I am still suffering. Things are getting worse by the day,”

Azizullah, who has come from Zabul province to try and find work, has no time for elections.

“I don’t know what are elections and what is voting,” he said. “I just want to find a job and live in peace.”

Nangahar

People in Nangarhar, in eastern Afghanistan, are also considering whether and how to vote.

“I will participate in the election in order to vote for a literate candidate,” said Ustad Gula Jan, 51, a resident of Kama district. “Elections determine our destiny. Everyone should participate in the elections and vote for a person who works for the welfare of his/her people and country.”

Sher Aga, 42, said that he and his family would definitely participate in the upcoming election and vote for a suitable person. “I ask all my country people not to vote for warlords,” he insisted.

Dr. Baryalai, a resident of Khogiani district, said he and his family members would vote if the situation was safe. “Many people did not participate in the last presidential election because of insecurity,” he explained.

But a resident of Achin district, which has been hit by intra-tribal conflict recently, said he would not vote.

“Our old representatives promised a lot but have done nothing except fill their pockets for the past five years,” he complained.

Balkh

In the relatively secure northern province of Balkh, residents are considering their candidates’ qualifications.

“I will vote for a hard-working person, who will work for us,” said Jamshid, a carpenter in Mazar-e-Sharif.

Shafi Rahmani, a journalist, said he would not be put off by the fraud perpetrated in last year’s presidential elections.

“We should not boycott he lections because some individuals committed fraud last time,” he said. “There is no alternative; this is the only way we can improve our country.”

But Zahra, a resident of Mazar-e-Sharif, said that the elections were fixed.

“Some people came to buy our voting cards,” she said. “Our neighbors sold theirs. I will not vote because the winner is already selected.”

The presence of foreign troops also presents a challenge for some voters.

“I do not want to vote because all the power is with the foreigners,” said Nabi Asel. “The elections are just symbolic.”

Ghulam Ali, 30, who works with the Afghan Red Crescent Society in Mazar-e-Sharif, dismisses the very idea of elections.

“The whole ting is ridiculous,” he said. “I ask everyone not to participate in the elections. This government is not democratic. It is corrupt.”