An interview with Dr. Shala Haq, Head of the Training and Capacity Building Department of the Independent Election Commission (IEC)

Q: What changes have been brought in the IEC’s regulations and procedures since the last parliamentary elections in 2005?

 A: Based on the new electoral law, some changes have been brought in the regulations and procedures of the election process, including changes in eligibility criteria for candidates. For instance, in the last parliamentary election candidates had to present 300 signatures and voter registration numbers and deposit 10,000 afghani with the IEC. Now they need 1,000 signatures and have to deposit 30,000 afghani. Other changes include the requirement that candidates resign from some specific posts and fill in a form confirming they do not have a criminal record. The establishment of a special committee to determine whether candidates have links to illegal armed group is another such change. 

Q: What is the difference between polling centers and polling stations?

A: A polling center consists of many polling stations, which are formed based on need. For instance, a school can be a polling center; some of the classrooms of the school would be polling stations where voters can easily and comfortably cast their votes.

Q: How many polling centers have been established for the upcoming parliamentary election?

A: There are 6,835 polling centers currently, but the final number will be announced after security forces assess the situation.

Q: How many polling stations will be in each polling center?

A: In total, 19,942 polling stations have been planned throughout the country. But the number of the polling stations will vary based on need. In general, each polling center will have at least two polling stations.

Q: What criteria have been considered in establishing polling centers?

A: Polling centers have been established based on the population in an area, the number of registered voters, the geographical situation and the accessibility of the area.

Q: How many candidates are running for the upcoming parliamentary election throughout Afghanistan?

A: There are 2,556 candidates including 52 Kuchis (nomads).

Q: How many women are on the final candidate list?

A: There are 405 women, including 10 Kuchis, running for Parliament.

Q: What is election monitoring and why is there a need for it?

A: Election monitoring is to evaluate the transparency of the election process. Monitors and observers assure that the election is conducted based on the established regulations and procedures of the election.

Q: Who can be monitors?

A: Political parties and agents of independent candidates who have accreditation from the IEC can monitor the process.

Q: What is election observation and what is difference between observation and monitoring? Who can attend as an observer in the polling centers?

A: The Independent Election Commission (IEC) is responsible for conducting free, fair and transparent election based on the electoral law and the IEC’s rules and regulations. In order to guarantee the transparency of the election process, a number of individuals can attend as observers in polling centers to observe the process. Observers only observe the process and report to their relevant entities; they have no right to criticize the nature of the process or make comments. Civil Society Forums and domestic and international independent and non-governmental organizations can observe the process. But monitors reserve the right to complain about or criticize the nature of the process and express their opinions and views.

Q: What can be considered election abuse and fraud?

A: Any act against the established rules and regulations of the IEC can be considered election abuse or fraud. These include falsified voting cards and other election related documents; multiple voting; threats, intimidation and insults to candidates and staff of the IEC. Meanwhile, any falsification of the count, any interference in the activities of the IEC and the Electoral Complaint Commission, or presenting incorrect information to the IEC and the ECC can be considered election abuses.

Q: How will the IEC determine the winner if two candidates receive the same number of votes in a polling center?

A: The IEC does not announce the results of any individual polling station. The results are recorded in a tally sheet and hung in the polling station after counting. The IEC declares the final results of each constituency. Each province is an election constituency and specific numbers of seats are allocated to each province based on its population. If two candidates receive the same number of votes for the final seat, a committee will be established to see which candidate deserves the right to be declared the winner. The establishment of such a committee is mentioned in the new electoral law and it will consist of three people: one from the Supreme Court as head of the committee, and two others from the IEC.  

Q: How many forms are needed to record the polling center results? When and how are the results submitted, and to which body?

A: Each polling station will receive a results form in four copies. The original form is blue, which is sent to the National Counting Center at the IEC in Kabul. The second copy is yellow, which is placed in the ballot box and transferred to the provincial capitals. The third copy is pink and is hung in the polling stations; the fourth one is green and is given to the monitors. 

Q: What is the chain of command for collecting the ballot papers from polling centers and polling stations?

A: The results are counted in each polling station after closing. The heads of the stations then insert the results for each candidate into the tally sheets. As mentioned, the original copy is sealed and given to the Desk Officer. The Desk Officer then puts the sheet along with the voter lists in an envelope and seals and stamps it. Then the sealed envelope is given to the District Field Coordinator (DFC) to bring it to the provincial capital and then to the National Counting Center in Kabul.

Q: What is the benefit of counting the results at the polling stations?

A: On-the-spot counting provides an opportunity for voters to observe the transparency of the process. They get an immediate declaration of the results, and it also provides economic benefits.

Q: What is the difference between the preliminary results and the final results?

A: The IEC receives the results from all the polling centers and enters the results in a Data Entry System. Then the IEC announces the preliminary results. After this there is a period for collecting complaints and objections regarding the preliminary results. The IEC declares the final results after assessing the complaints and objections.

Q: Considering the large number of candidates, how did the IEC organize the ballot papers?

A: The size of the ballot papers varies based on the number of the candidates in each province. In order to facilitate the voting process, the paper is provided with candidates’ names, photos, symbols, and a blank space for the voters’ tick mark.