As September 16, the date for registration of the electoral candidates’ approaches near, the electoral alliances and coalition formation gained momentum. It seems as if, in the upcoming election, coalition making may draw greater public backing for presidential nominee.
Subsequent to the announcement of the Afghanistan Electoral Alliance (AEA) last week, a new high-profile political coalition undergoes formation, vying for the upcoming election.
The coalition, which has not officially named itself yet, is comprised of several prominent political figures that plan on nominating candidates for both the Presidential and Provincial elections on April 5. The coalition includes Dr. Zalmai Khalilzad, the former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations; Ali Ahmad Jalali, former Afghan Interior Minister; Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai, the head of the Security Transition Commission (STC); Muhammad Hanif Atmar, a member of the Right and Justice Party (RJP); and Anwar-ul-Haq Ahadi, Minister of Commerce and Industries.
This is indeed a momentous beginning, a move heading towards strengthening of democracy in Afghanistan in the long term. The need of party based politics was strongly felt in Afghanistan that could undermine the monopoly of tribal lords. The fact being is, the party (comprising every ethnic group) based politics encourages the participatory democracy. History preserves the continuation of politics and election run in person has never been fruitful and long-lasting with exception to division of masses on diverse grounds.
It is to be kept in consideration that Afghanistan’s politics passes through its primary phase of democratic evolution, the coalition formation might serve the best interests of war weary masses transforming the dictatorial disposition of electoral nominees to democratic. Formerly, the might of bullet would decide the candidacy of a person for this highest slot. However, after the installment of democracy this practice is replaced with the might of ballot.
Moreover, each electoral coalition subsequent to its formation is striving hard to draw the concentration of common masses and political elders. This in turn bridges politicians with the masses and make them known about the worst affecting issues related to ordinary people. Hence, it helps shifting the politics from drawing rooms to streets that would greatly affect the decisions taken to alter fate of people.
The formation of the two major coalitions seems to be setting the stage for a heated pre-election campaign season with marked differences from past elections. With the groups assembled as they are now, it is no doubt that the prominent figures will square-off with a great deal of resources and support at their backs.
Seeing the intensity of heated pre-election preparation and campaign it can be asserted that an individual without being the part of any grand alliance will not be winning through the forthcoming election – this is the age of coalitions and alliances.