Reportedly Taliban militants have launched an anti-election campaign after the groups’ Supreme Leader Mullah Omar issued an appeal to his supporters on Friday. Allegedly in his latest message he urged his supporters to turn public opinion against the coming presidential election. NBC News quoted Maulana Abdul Aziz a senior Taliban leader as saying, “An anti-election campaign has been launched. I am here to convince the Afghan refugees residing in Quetta not to participate in elections”.
No doubt, Taliban militants have always tried to challenge the elections in Afghanistan. One of the key things that they can do is increase their activities which necessarily will prevent nominees to launch campaign. They also can threaten civilians who want to vote.
During previous elections, many people lost their lives as they disobeyed the order of Taliban militants to avoid participating in election. Many others were punished after the completion of the elections. In provinces and districts where militants exercise influence had the lowest rate of participation. Unfortunately, the voting process has also become so troublesome. Based on reports, both Independent Election Commissions and other organizations which are monitoring the process of election avoid going to restive areas. Thus, sometimes they become a fraud prone regions where some particular individual can appoint someone and fill the ballot boxes in his favor. Similar allegations occurred in previous presidential election.
These are the problems that Taliban are directly and indirectly responsible for. But beyond this, it is not out of the capacity of militants to create real challenges during the election. As it can be seen clearly, the security responsibilities are transferred to Afghan security forces and NATO has set to end its mission at the end of 2014, which means that foreign forces will have supportive role if militants ever dare to launch disruptive activities to a larger extent.
In addition, the only means that militants can use is creating fear among civilians. In large part of the country, the ideology of Taliban has lost support and people generally support an establishment endorsed by public vote. Even this time we have Islamist candidates who are trying to take power through peaceful process. So, it would be so hard for Taliban to influence the mentality of civilians through anti-election campaign. Whether Taliban accept or not, elections have changed into an acceptable medium for any party to take over political power.
Therefore, it is the responsibility of the government to ensure a transparency in election. So, if it is not held properly and transparently, it will enrage civilians that will pave the way for militants. Hence in order to counter the anti-election campaign of Taliban, government should ensure a fair and transparent election.