Inaugurating the spring session of parliament after winter break, President Karzai reiterated his stance on some critical issues of the country. However, there was nothing new in the expectedly crucial speech as we get closer to the NATO withdrawal deadline and presidential elections date. Once against he blamed ‘foreigners’ for instability in Afghanistan, a repeated accusation that has become a topic of discussion for ordinary Afghans, as seen in the quick social-media commentary after the speech.
President Karzai should speak clearly that which foreign countries do not want Afghanistan to be a stable country. He did not mention any name or reference, which makes it a political rhetoric to confuse masses rather than any hint of reality. He also repeated the remarks made in his last year’s parliament speech at exactly the same time with same words that “Afghanistan is not a lab for others to experiment with political systems”. The increasing demands of decentralization of power is not a foreign agenda or experiment, but a popular domestic political aspiration of the people who are fed up of corruption and failed governance due to flaws in the structure.
The only realistic statement was his admission of the atrocities committed by Afghan National Security Forces regarding civilian casualties. In the past, his anger had always been pointed at foreign troops whenever there was any incident of civilian casualty, despite the fact that Afghan Army would be in lead of most of those joint military operations with ISAF. He said he was disappointed over the reports of abuse at the hands of Afghan security forces.
President Karzai reiterated his commitment to conduct a free, fair and transparent election, saying it is about his own legacy to ensure smooth transfer of power. He added, "I would have a better legacy if the election is a smooth process. I don't want people to judge me as troublemaker. The election must happen -- free and fair. I will be an ex-president in 13 months." But Afghan citizens and political parties need more than rhetoric on this issue. Practically, things are going toward another direction. Few steps have been taken to ensure free and fair elections.
Pre-polling designs of rigging are already underway with the old voter registration cards, an IEC decision made on pressure from the President. The Election Complaint Commission has been removed from the structure of IEC as an independent body, replaced by a special judicial tribunal, which will surely lead us to crisis in 2014 elections, if the decision remains intact.