08:26
12.6.2014
07:36
12.6.2014
Security extremely tight near the Defense Ministry compound in Kabul. There are checkpoints all along the main road. Every third or fourth car is being searched by police.
07:28
12.6.2014
New Security Measures
As Afghan security forces make their preparations for Saturday's vote, new security measures are being rolled out in Kabul.
As Afghan security forces make their preparations for Saturday's vote, new security measures are being rolled out in Kabul.
06:41
12.6.2014
Quiet in Kabul
Kabul is fairly quiet today. Not many residents out on the streets. Few cars on the roads. Security forces have put up scores of checkpoints across the city, which has made it difficult to travel around the city.
Kabul is fairly quiet today. Not many residents out on the streets. Few cars on the roads. Security forces have put up scores of checkpoints across the city, which has made it difficult to travel around the city.
I spoke to a taxi driver, who told me he will be staying home for the next few days. "I don't need the constant bodychecks and questions."
Despite the tight security measures, some shops and stands are still operating.
Despite the tight security measures, some shops and stands are still operating.
05:56
12.6.2014
05:54
12.6.2014
Several young Ghani supporters in Kabul.
05:30
12.6.2014
New Voting Sites
The Independent Election Commission (IEC) has released a new list of voting sites that will be open on election day.
The number of voting sites in 30 provinces has increased since the first round, while in four other provinces the numbers dropped. In total, 23,000 voting sites will be operational compared to 19,000 in the first round.
Here is a breakdown of where the number of polling sites has increased. There willl be fewer pollling sites open in the provinces of Nuristan, Zabul, Ghazni, and Nangarhar.
IEC Commissioner Sareer Ahmad Barmak:
"The IEC directed us to increase the number of sites where there were shortages. In addition, in provinces where we ran out of ballot papers, additional sites have been created. Thirdly, we sent 5 percent additional ballots to each province."
The Free and Fair Election Foundation of Afghanistan (FEFA) has demanded the IEC explain its reasons for making the changes.
The Independent Election Commission (IEC) has released a new list of voting sites that will be open on election day.
The number of voting sites in 30 provinces has increased since the first round, while in four other provinces the numbers dropped. In total, 23,000 voting sites will be operational compared to 19,000 in the first round.
Here is a breakdown of where the number of polling sites has increased. There willl be fewer pollling sites open in the provinces of Nuristan, Zabul, Ghazni, and Nangarhar.
IEC Commissioner Sareer Ahmad Barmak:
"The IEC directed us to increase the number of sites where there were shortages. In addition, in provinces where we ran out of ballot papers, additional sites have been created. Thirdly, we sent 5 percent additional ballots to each province."
The Free and Fair Election Foundation of Afghanistan (FEFA) has demanded the IEC explain its reasons for making the changes.
05:15
12.6.2014
SMS Services Disabled
It appears that SMS services have been blocked in Kabul today, which comes as a bit of a surprise because it was not expected so early.
In the first round, the text services of all the major telecommunication companies operating in Afghanistan -- including Etisalat, AWCC, and Roshan -- were blocked the day of the vote.
The Telecommunications Ministry said it had disabled all SMS services at the request of the Electoral Complaints Commission (ECC).
As I wrote at the time, there were several possible reasons for the move:
Afghan government is attempting to prevent candidates from last-minute campaigning. The campaign teams of several candidates have been accused of sending hundreds of thousands of text messages urging people to vote for them after campaigning ended.
The government's texting ban is a security measure to prevent militants from using them for attacks. The Taliban has often used mobile phones to detonate improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
There is also speculation that the ban was imposed to prevent the Taliban from sending threatening messages to voters and discouraging them from going to the polls.
In the first round, the text services of all the major telecommunication companies operating in Afghanistan -- including Etisalat, AWCC, and Roshan -- were blocked the day of the vote.
The Telecommunications Ministry said it had disabled all SMS services at the request of the Electoral Complaints Commission (ECC).
As I wrote at the time, there were several possible reasons for the move:
Afghan government is attempting to prevent candidates from last-minute campaigning. The campaign teams of several candidates have been accused of sending hundreds of thousands of text messages urging people to vote for them after campaigning ended.
The government's texting ban is a security measure to prevent militants from using them for attacks. The Taliban has often used mobile phones to detonate improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
There is also speculation that the ban was imposed to prevent the Taliban from sending threatening messages to voters and discouraging them from going to the polls.
04:31
12.6.2014
Ghani's Transformation
The New York Times has a good story on Ghani's transformation from technocrat to populist.
Ghani before:
Mr. Ghani was widely described as being too focused on policy problems and lacking a natural constituency or a common touch. Many described his temper as both short and hot, and his outbursts had alienated many powerful people.
Ghani seems to have to have learnt important lessons:
The winners here are populists who cut deals with their enemies, win support from their rivals and appeal to Afghan national pride — a reality that Mr. Ghani appears to have finally embraced after years of inhabiting the role of pro-Western intellectual.
The New York Times has a good story on Ghani's transformation from technocrat to populist.
Ghani before:
Mr. Ghani was widely described as being too focused on policy problems and lacking a natural constituency or a common touch. Many described his temper as both short and hot, and his outbursts had alienated many powerful people.
Ghani seems to have to have learnt important lessons:
The winners here are populists who cut deals with their enemies, win support from their rivals and appeal to Afghan national pride — a reality that Mr. Ghani appears to have finally embraced after years of inhabiting the role of pro-Western intellectual.
04:11
12.6.2014
Neutrality
In the first round, some voters accused police chiefs and security forces of intimidating them into voting for a specific candidate.
Interior Minister Umar Daudzai was very active on Twitter on April 5, replying swiftly to allegations of fraud and reports of insecurity. Many hoping to much of the same in the run-off.
In the first round, some voters accused police chiefs and security forces of intimidating them into voting for a specific candidate.
Interior Minister Umar Daudzai was very active on Twitter on April 5, replying swiftly to allegations of fraud and reports of insecurity. Many hoping to much of the same in the run-off.