Afghanistan Independent Election Commission (IEC) has invited certain independent international observers to monitor the spring elections. The IEC has already given permits to certain organizations and individuals for election monitoring purposes. "Any international institution that intends to monitor the election may contact the IEC and the commission will explain important issues to them and we will come to an agreement,” IEC has said.

For any observer whether national or international having adequate knowledge about Afghan electoral system and laws governing it would be pivotal for monitoring the election and preparing reports and recommendations. IEC must make this point sure.

Opposite to what the common perception in Afghanistan is about election monitors, they do not directly prevent electoral fraud, but rather record and report such instances. Election observation increasingly looks at the entire electoral process over a longer period of time, rather than at election-day proceedings only. The importance of monitoring of election by foreign organizations and domestic groups is that the conclusion of their observations can be used to gauge the legitimacy of election. Election observation is an important instrument that can improve the quality of elections and observers can build public confidence in the honesty of electoral processes. Meanwhile, election observation by domestic groups encourages civic involvement in the political process.

Since the fall of Taliban regime in 2001 as a result of US-led invasion, Afghanistan is travelling a new democratic path, though with certain demerits. Democracy and its important pillar i.e. holding election is still nascent and public awareness about them still needs to be boosted further. In a country like Afghanistan, election observations play an important role in developing a sound electoral practice.

Despite insecurity and other challenges, Afghanistan has been able to conduct two terms of presidential and provincial elections in 2004 and 2009 respectively. It has also experienced two terms of parliamentary elections in 2005 and 2010 respectively. However, there were reports of frauds in all these elections especially, the 2009 presidential election was marred with allegation of massive ballot stuffing and other kinds of frauds and therefore, it had low legitimacy in the eyes of the public.

The IEC through these elections and by using reports prepared by foreign monitors about them must have gained much invaluable experience. Therefore, it is expected that the IEC and other concerned bodies of the government would perform better in the next presidential and provincial council elections on April 5th.