05:31
13.6.2014
Afghanistan's Interior Minister:
05:17
13.6.2014
Security Tightened Around Kabul
Afghan security forces manning checkpoints at nearly every intersection in Kabul, searching cars and drivers in a massive security operation ahead of Saturday's election.
The Taliban issued a new statement this week warning voters to stay away from the polls. "The Islamic Emirate deems it necessary to alert the people and warn them for the last time that they should not participate in this American process, deliberately or inadvertently."
Afghan security forces manning checkpoints at nearly every intersection in Kabul, searching cars and drivers in a massive security operation ahead of Saturday's election.
The Taliban issued a new statement this week warning voters to stay away from the polls. "The Islamic Emirate deems it necessary to alert the people and warn them for the last time that they should not participate in this American process, deliberately or inadvertently."
05:07
13.6.2014
04:58
13.6.2014
EU Election Monitors
The European Union has sent a delegation of 66 observers to monitor tomorrow's runoff election. They will be stationed at polling centers in the provinces of Kabul, Balkh, and Herat. The delegation will remain in Afghanistan until the announcement of the final results.
The European Union has sent a delegation of 66 observers to monitor tomorrow's runoff election. They will be stationed at polling centers in the provinces of Kabul, Balkh, and Herat. The delegation will remain in Afghanistan until the announcement of the final results.
04:39
13.6.2014
All Quiet On The Kabul Front
04:22
13.6.2014
Election Fears in restive Helmand Province
In Helmand, where the Taliban held sway until the U.S.-led "surge" four years ago, around 125,000 people voted in the first round, roughly a quarter of them female. Some polling stations remained closed due to insecurity and others were forced to close because of militant attacks, but the higher turnout was reflective of the Taliban’s waning influence in the province and the improving capabilities of the Afghan security forces.
But as Afghan journalist Mujib Mashal writes, Taliban attacks and fraud could mar tomorrow's vote in Helmand:
In Helmand, where the Taliban held sway until the U.S.-led "surge" four years ago, around 125,000 people voted in the first round, roughly a quarter of them female. Some polling stations remained closed due to insecurity and others were forced to close because of militant attacks, but the higher turnout was reflective of the Taliban’s waning influence in the province and the improving capabilities of the Afghan security forces.
But as Afghan journalist Mujib Mashal writes, Taliban attacks and fraud could mar tomorrow's vote in Helmand:
"Saturday’s election is a bigger test ... one that comes too soon for the Afghan security forces. Largely kept at bay in the first round of voting, the Taliban have a point to prove and have vowed to disrupt the runoff. Several districts of Helmand remain too insecure for election observers. Pashtun fears that the absence of observers will create an opportunity for fraud.
"Ghani and Abdullah have been unusually vocal in criticizing each other, and the testy nature of the runoff could also breed fraud. This time, both candidates are aiming for 'equal opportunity fraud,' employing local strongmen and local government officials to potentially stuff ballot boxes, said one senior election official. 'Their efforts are aimed at not falling behind in initial votes -- to send as many boxes to Kabul as possible, whether legitimate or stuffed,' said the official, who declined to be identified."
"Ghani and Abdullah have been unusually vocal in criticizing each other, and the testy nature of the runoff could also breed fraud. This time, both candidates are aiming for 'equal opportunity fraud,' employing local strongmen and local government officials to potentially stuff ballot boxes, said one senior election official. 'Their efforts are aimed at not falling behind in initial votes -- to send as many boxes to Kabul as possible, whether legitimate or stuffed,' said the official, who declined to be identified."
03:59
13.6.2014
Abdullah Interview
Abdullah Abdullah says he would reset relations with the United States and neighboring Pakistan if elected. He also says battling corruption would be among his main concerns.
The Atlantic Council has Abdullah's comments in response to questions from listeners:
-- On Afghanistan as a refuge for terrorist groups.
Abdullah Abdullah says he would reset relations with the United States and neighboring Pakistan if elected. He also says battling corruption would be among his main concerns.
The Atlantic Council has Abdullah's comments in response to questions from listeners:
-- On Afghanistan as a refuge for terrorist groups.
"Ourselves having suffered from terrorism ... I am categorically against the presence of any terrorists" in Afghan territory. If terrorists are there, then it will be for the Afghan state to take action against them."
-- On Afghanistan's historic ethnic divides, notably between Pashtuns who dominate the south and Tajiks, the group with whom Abdullah is most identified.
"These are perceptional challenges," based on "an outdated perception of reality."
Abdullah said voting patterns in the April election, including strong support for him in ethnic Pashtun zones, reflects a diminution of old, ethnic and tribalized politics in Afghanistan.
-- On human rights and women's rights.
Human rights concerns and support for women's access to education and career opportunities have gotten rhetorical support from the state, but too little real attention, Abdullah said. They must "be part and parcel of every decision that is being made by the government."
--On a possible future role for President Hamid Karzai.
"Certainly he will have a political role to play" if Karzai wishes, Abdullah said, while adding that "we have not discussed" details.
03:48
13.6.2014
Abdullah Interview
Abdullah spoke with the Atlantic Council last night via Skype. You can see the whole interview here:
There is also a Storifyed version:
03:37
13.6.2014
Afghan Voters Left With Images of Negative Campaigning
What will voters have on their minds when they go to cast their votes? We write that while the campaign might be over, the evidence of mudslinging remains:
Abdullah Abdullah and Ashraf Ghani took the low road as the Afghan presidential campaign wound down, with their teams and supporters engaging in petty name-calling, and exchanging personal insults and threats.
They also got some final, and lasting, words in, despite a two-day "silence period" under which candidates are barred from campaigning ahead of the June 14 vote.
A number of negative posters and billboards were placed around Kabul ahead of the ban, as smears emerged on social media, ensuring that voters would have something to think about as they head to polling stations.
What will voters have on their minds when they go to cast their votes? We write that while the campaign might be over, the evidence of mudslinging remains:
Abdullah Abdullah and Ashraf Ghani took the low road as the Afghan presidential campaign wound down, with their teams and supporters engaging in petty name-calling, and exchanging personal insults and threats.
They also got some final, and lasting, words in, despite a two-day "silence period" under which candidates are barred from campaigning ahead of the June 14 vote.
A number of negative posters and billboards were placed around Kabul ahead of the ban, as smears emerged on social media, ensuring that voters would have something to think about as they head to polling stations.
03:28
13.6.2014
Outgoing President
In a televised address to the nation last night, President Hamid Karzai urged all eligible voters to cast their ballots. This is some of what he had to say: