Afghanistan Votes

Vote counting has begun after Afghans voted today in provincial and parliamentary elections, where there was reportedly high security and pockets of violence, amidst fears that the Taliban would attempt to derail the election.  CNN reports that Afghan police foiled multiple bombing attacks, although a government ban on media coverage of violence may have clouded incidents at polling stations.  Presidential candidate Ashraf Ghani–who today touted his credentials in a Times op-ed–claims on Twitter that in some districts voters were coerced by armed gangs to vote for Abdullah Abdullah.  CNN’s Kevin Flower tweets reports of armed intimidation of voters at polls, suspicious ballot counting results, and vote fraud with fake ID cards.

According to reports so far, the election was not without hiccups; in Taliban controlled provinces thousands were denied the right to vote, suicide bombers confronted police in Kabul, at least two police were killed in explosions, some precincts were shut down, and voters crossed minefields to vote in Helmand province.  In stable areas with less Pashtun influence and more homogeneous populations, reports claim that polling went smoothly.

Nevertheless, writes Marc Ambinder at the Atlantic Politics Channel, the West cannot hold Afghanistan up to unfair standards.  After all, the country is at war and this election, although marred, is still a mark of progress, opine the Washington Post’s editors.  What is important in this election is that its turnout–meaning the number of Afghans who risk their personal security in order to vote–will reveal the extent to which the Taliban has real influence vis-à-vis local and security forces, particularly in Pashtun dominated areas, writes Anthony Cordesman.

Polls hours were extended for an hour, prompting ABC’s Jim Sciutto to ask if this is a sign that turnout was low, which would not bode well for the legitimacy of the new government.  Al-Jazeera reports that turnout was low, particularly in Afghanistan’s south.  Early reports show President Karzai and Abdullah Abdullah are neck and neck, yet because of rugged rural terrain, official ballots will take time to be transferred to Kabul, writes Reuters.  The results are set to be announced September 3, yet if one candidate does not receive 50 percent of the vote, a runoff will be scheduled for October.