In April 2014, voters in Afghanistan will go to the polls for the most important elections since the fall of the Taliban in 2001. Given that international security forces are scheduled to leave the country by the end of 2014, a legitimate election is essential for the country’s stability.  Afghan electoral official Zekria Barakzai outlines steps Afghanistan can take now to prevent electoral fraud in 2014.

Summary

  • On April 5, 2014, Afghans will go to the polls to vote in what is considered the most significant election since the fall of Taliban in 2001.
  • Lack of security has been the main challenge to Afghanistan’s electoral process since 2005.
  • While security will be the main challenge to the 2014 elections, the lessons from previous elections suggest that there is an urgent need to put in place an effective anti-fraud strategy.
  • The Independent Election Commission (IEC) should focus on mitigation measures for worsening security situation and an effective anti-fraud strategy. These measures should be widely discussed with all stakeholders and IEC should publicly declare its commitment to implement it.

About This Brief

In April 2014, voters in Afghanistan will go to the polls for the most important elections since the fall of the Taliban in 2001. Given that international security forces are scheduled to leave the country by the end of 2014, a smooth political transition as result of an acceptable election is the cornerstone of stability in the country. This Peace Brief recommends an anti-fraud strategy to promote a higher voter turnout and a credible election process. The author, Zekria Barakzai, is the senior policy advisor with the High Office of Anti-Corruption of Afghanistan and chairman of the Afghanistan Association of Electoral Officials. Barakzai previously worked for the IEC as deputy chief electoral officer from 2005 through January 2013.

Related Publications

To Counter Boko Haram, Nigeria Pastor Urges, Step Into 'Dark Arenas'

To Counter Boko Haram, Nigeria Pastor Urges, Step Into 'Dark Arenas'

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

By: USIP Staff

Nigeria’s next government needs to have the political will to act decisively against the Boko Haram extremist group, said Pastor Esther Abimiku Ibanga ahead of the country’s March 28 presidential election. Ibanga, a civil society leader from northern Nigeria’s Plateau state, was recently awarded the prestigious Niwano Peace Prize, which honors significant contributions to inter-religious cooperation, for her efforts to promote women’s empowerment and peace.

Type: Blog

Religion

A Counterterrorism Role for Pakistan’s Police Stations

A Counterterrorism Role for Pakistan’s Police Stations

Monday, August 18, 2014

By: Robert Perito;  Tariq Parvez

Violence is escalating in Pakistan, both in its megacities and along the border with Afghanistan—from terrorism, to secessionist insurgency, to sectarian conflict, to ethnic turf wars. The police station and the police who staff it, despite their historic role as a symbol of government authority and responsibility for public order, are woefully ill prepared and ill equipped to meet these challenges. This report, part of a project to increase Pakistan’s capacity to combat terrorism, explores t...

Type: Special Report

Civil Defense Groups

Civil Defense Groups

Thursday, July 31, 2014

By: Bruce “Ossie” Oswald

More than three hundred defense groups provide security to local communities in states around the world. While it is true that such groups can be a resource-efficient means for states to provide law and order to their communities, it is also true that they can worsen security.

Type: Special Report

Twitter Chat: How Will Iraq Confront Militant Group Sweeping in from Syria?

Twitter Chat: How Will Iraq Confront Militant Group Sweeping in from Syria?

Friday, June 13, 2014

By: Steven Ruder;  Sarhang Hamasaeed

Anti-government Sunni militants have swept across western and northern Iraq over the past week, gaining control of the cities of Mosul and Tikrit. Operating mainly under the banner of the State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, or also known as ISIS), in many places they seemed to have faced little to no resistance from the official Iraqi army, who, according to reports, laid down their arms and melted into the countryside. As they neared Baghdad, Kurdish paramilitary pesh merga fighters took con...

Type: Blog

View All Publications