Ballots Over Bullets: Strengthening Democracy Through National Participation

Remarks at the Official Ceremony for the Commencement of Voter Registration for Parliamentary and District Council Elections

Keypoints: 

• Electoral Commitment: Upholding constitutional and election laws.
• Democratic Rights: Securing citizens’ voting and candidacy rights.
• Independent Elections: Maintaining commission neutrality and autonomy.
• Transparent Process: Ensuring fair and accountable elections.
• National Unity: Avoiding ethnic or regional bias in elections.
• Institutional Cooperation: Aligning state bodies to support elections.
• Public Participation: Encouraging registration and voting.
• Peace Through Ballots: Settling disputes through elections.

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

I consider today an auspicious occasion. I thank Mr. Sayyad¹, Ms. [Wasima] Badghisi², and all the esteemed members of the Independent Election Commission (IEC). Today, you have taken a great step toward the implementation of the Election Law and the mandate of the Constitution. Thank you!

The right to vote and the right to be elected are the hallmark characteristics of a democratic system. In this regard, I express my gratitude to the esteemed members of the Cabinet for their presence. I also thank Mr. Barmak³, who is responsible for the security sector of the elections, as well as Mr. Muhtat, the Director of the Central Statistics Organization, and all other colleagues for their cooperation.

Institutional Coordination

I extend my thanks to Mr. Beg, the Director of the Independent Directorate of Local Governance, who organized the comprehensive cooperation of the provinces today. Today, all the governors—just as the esteemed Cabinet members and I came and registered—registered as citizens of Afghanistan, and they organized this coordination. I also thank the Minister of Education, who organized all members of the education sector according to the Election Law to work in cooperation with the Commission. Furthermore, I thank the Minister of Women’s Affairs for ensuring the oversight of our three thousand sisters—who numbered 2,700 last week and reached this total today—and I hope they provide even more.

Electoral Timeline and Commitment

Regarding the elections, it must be clear today that the National Unity Government possesses both the intention and a clear will and commitment. This process consists of two stages: first, the elections for District Councils and the Wolesi Jirga (House of the People) of the National Assembly, the date of which has been announced, and everyone stands firmly by that date and calendar.

Independence of the Commission

I have not met with Mr. Sayyad⁴ or any other member of the Commission alone; I always meet them jointly with Dr. Abdullah, our international partners, and now with members of political parties. This is because I have sufficient respect for their independence, and I do not want even a shred of doubt or suspicion to exist that, God forbid, the government has any intention or will to interfere in the elections.

Therefore, every official of this government is duty-bound to follow the approach I have taken and view the independence of the Commission with respect. Mr. Sayyad and Ms. Badghisi, if you observe even the smallest interference, inform me directly. Interference in electoral affairs by security, defense, or civil members of the government is not acceptable. This would be an interference in the explicit rights of our citizens and compatriots, and it cannot be tolerated. At the same time, our request to the Commission is to conduct these elections with complete integrity and neutrality.

National Accountability and Media Role

In the Commission, there is no place for ethnicity, region, province, or different religious traditions. This Commission is a national commission and is accountable to all the people of Afghanistan. I especially thank the media, which has always helped and taken great steps in the area of free elections. I want to thank all of you today for the work you performed in previous elections. We ask civil society, political parties, and simultaneously our international partners to monitor these free, comprehensive, and neutral elections; you, the media, play a particularly important and great role in this. The media are among the prides of Afghanistan; the free media of Afghanistan have always raised discussions. Now that the High Council for Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption exists, if you witness any violations, please inform us so they can be placed on the agenda for discussion and comprehensive action.

Future Preparations and Parliamentary Reporting

The second point is that Mr. Sayyad and his colleagues have taken up the arrangements for the 2018 Presidential Election. In this section, they will take specific measures; because it is a presidential election, comprehensive oversight must be undertaken from today to prepare for it. The date of the Presidential Election will be announced by the Commission, and its arrangements, as always, will be made through popular coordination.

We request the esteemed members of the National Assembly to share their performance records with the nation of Afghanistan. Just as the Executive and Judicial branches have reported on their achievements and problems, it is hoped that the Legislative branch, as the representatives of the nation who will return to the judgment of the people, will report their activities to the nation.

Legal Framework for Candidates

Furthermore, our request to all candidates is to examine the Election Law carefully and work within the framework of the law. What is not acceptable is the interference of any candidate in security and administrative matters; this part must be clear, as the authority belongs to you, Mr. Sayyad. Regarding individuals who wish to interfere in this legal process and illegally divert the scales of justice, our request to you and to the judicial and legal organs is to act with decisiveness against them.

A Call to National Participation

I once again congratulate the people of Afghanistan on this blessed day. My request is that all compatriots—both women and men—take the voter registration process seriously with one voice. Just as Bibi Gul⁵ and I came today and participated like any other citizens without any privilege or special arrangements, I hope all of you register as well. In districts where security conditions do not permit this, Mr. Sayyad and his colleagues will make special arrangements; it is ultimately essential that we provide the ground for every Afghan who has reached the legal age to participate in this sacred process.

Elections as a Path to Peace

My final request is this: we have presented a clear and comprehensive peace proposal to our society and the Taliban. If they believe they have roots among the people of Afghanistan, then the election is the opportunity. The election is the means through which political disagreements are settled based on the beliefs of the people, and intellectual differences are resolved through the clear and transparent vote of the people. The people of Afghanistan are tired of bloodshed and want effective politics to take the place of politics based on force and coercion. Therefore, my request is to take the elections seriously, prepare yourselves for the conditions of participation, and whether they come as a political party or a collective, the people of Afghanistan will decide about them.

Again, I congratulate Mr. Sayyad, Ms. Badghisi, Mr. Bedar, and all members of the Commission, and I wish you success in the execution of this great national trust.

Yashasın Afghanistan! Zinda bad Afghanistan! Tal de wi Afghanistan!

Endnotes: ¹ Abdul Badi Sayyad, Chairman of the Independent Election Commission. ² [Wasima] Badghisi, Operational Deputy of the Independent Election Commission. ³ Wais Ahmad Barmak, Minister of Interior Affairs. ⁴ Abdul Badi Sayyad, Chairman of the Independent Election Commission. ⁵ Rula Ghani (Bibi Gul), First Lady of Afghanistan.