Corruption has penetrated deep within Afghan society and have influenced almost all fields of life. The institutional incapacity in political, social and economic spheres to exert to its maximum potential can be best associated to this evil. Corruption has been responsible for generating injustice within the systems and this injustice will infect the entire country, making it sick and incompetent. There are fears that if practical measures are not taken it would be very difficult to make Afghanistan stand on its own in the times to come.
One of the greatest factors that would decide the future of Afghanistan is the 2014 election as it would decide whether Afghanistan would continue its journey towards a stable democracy or it would opt to return to instability and chaos. It is a crystal clear fact that if this election is transparent and free from fraud, there would be better changes in Afghanistan’s socio-political scenario.
The Independent Joint Anti-Corruption Monitoring and Evaluation Committee (MEC) emphasized on the same fact on Saturday, September 28. An international member of MEC, Drago Kos, in a press conference in Kabul alleged that some external and internal elements did not want the MEC to operate and oversee illegal activities during the elections. He asked the Independent Election Commission (IEC) to address concerns about the voter registration process and reject nomination papers of those having committed corruption in the past. He also said that MEC had asked the IEC not to appoint biased election staff and make available voter registration facilitates in remote areas.
Though the demands from MEC are viable but there are not such intentions, in fact. The Afghan political system has been greatly influenced by corruption and the hold of the corrupt is very strong; therefore, a miracle would be required to make the upcoming elections corruption free.
However, efforts can be made to minimize corruption to a possible level and make elections acceptable both for Afghan people and international community. The relevant institutions and authorities can all play their roles in doing so. Making corruption as a pretext and not taking any measure would also be an injustice to Afghanistan and to its people and it would further strengthen the roots of corruption. Afghan authorities need to realize that they have the biggest opportunity to save their society; all they need is a loyal and patriotic commitment.