Preparations for September’s Parliamentary elections are proceeding throughout the country. But in many places, particularly in the eastern province of Nangarhar, people are wondering whether the security situation will allow them to participate.

Security in the province is deteriorating by the day, providing a stark contrast to the relatively benign situation during last year’s presidential poll.  The Taliban and other armed opponents of the Afghan government warn that they will create obstacles to the elections. Both candidates and potential voters are worried that the ballot may not be held as scheduled by the Independent Election Commission (IEC).
 
“An election is a political process, so the opposition may try to create obstacles against it,” said political analyst and Kabul University lecturer, Lal Pacha Azmon. If the situation remains unchanged, the elections may have to be postponed.”

During the last elections, the Taliban and other groups threatened to cut off the fingers of anyone who voted; two voters had their index fingers amputated in Kandahar.

Now people are wondering whether the opposition will be able to mount a major challenge to the elections, or whether the security forces will be able to counter the threat.

The police insist they are ready.

“As ordered by Nangarhar Governor Gul Agha Sherzai, and in close cooperation with the relevant security bodies, the police will try to provide security throughout the province for the election,” Said Abdul Ghafoor, spokesperson for the Nangarhar police department. 

According to Abdul Ghafoor, the police department has already reviewed its previous shortcomings and has adjusted plans accordingly, in order to provide security for both candidates and voters in the elections. 

Mashal 22, a resident of Jalalabad, the provincial capital, said that he was afraid to vote. He also criticized the IEC.

“The IEC gives no value to our votes,” he complained. “They will declare as the winners those who have links to certain political parties.”

But the IEC rejects such allegations.

“The IEC has ordered heads of provincial sub-offices to strictly avoid illegal acts during the elections and not to allow anyone to perpetrate fraud,” said Noor Mohammad Noor, the IEC spokesperson in Kabul.

Javid, a student at Nangarhar University, said that he had been lucky to survive when a polling station was bombed while he was voting during last year’s presidential elections.

“I am not even thinking of voting in the Parliamentary elections,” he said. “The Taliban have shown that they can carry out their threats.”

But police spokesperson Abdul Ghafoor urges voters to go to the polls.

“Khogiani was one of the most insecure districts in Nangarhar last year, but 28,000 people cast their votes in the presidential elections,” he said.

Abdul Ghafoor said that people should not be afraid to vote.

“They are choosing their future,” he insisted.

Political analyst Lal Pacha Azmon said that he is more concerned about local mischief-makers than he is about the Taliban.

“Warlords and power brokers create fear among people in various ways,” he said. “I agree that the Taliban are against the Afghan government, but I do not think they will be able to challenge security throughout the country. There are people who are trying to create problems for their own benefit.”