Afghanistan has reached on the verge of election-2014 that turns to be a decisive mode in the history of war wrecked country. Amidst uncertain economic and socio-political circumstances transparent election followed by peaceful transition of power earn centrality to avert the status quo. In that pursuit the role of government and its concerned departments exercising neutrality, security maintenance, provision of impartial environment stand vital and preliminary.

Prior to commencement of election campaign, the ECC was expected to turning down the candidacy of some of contenders on rational grounds of human rights violations, instead highly credible candidates would be left to fight election. Nonetheless, it did not happen given the election campaign formally kicked-off with the eleven contenders left to fight the race.

Provided that the electoral process has entered in significant phase, the undertakings of election commission have multiplied. One being the assurance of congenial environment where contenders dare not violating the code of conduct by making verbal or physical assault on the political rival – as it should lead to annulment of candidature of the contestant.

The insurgents certainly intimidate civilians from polling process by warning of ill-consequences; this must be discouraged. The government must work out a coordinated security plan to keep the insurgents away from residential enclaves and polling stations. The insurgents might use variant alternatives to give a blow to electoral process bringing the system at standstill. To nullify all these concerns, the government must come forth with full fledge preparation doing away all the apprehensions.

Regretfully, on the eve of beginning of election campaign two members of Abdullah Abdullah’s campaign were shot dead by unidentified gunmen in front of campaign office in western Herat province. This of course intimates bad omen on the reliability of forth lying electoral phases, receiving international condemnation. This act effects the ability of ordinary Afghans exercising their fundamental right to express their free democratic will to vote in an atmosphere free of intimidation and non-violent conduction of election.

In the absence of interim body the role of incumbent government ensuring impartiality in the whole process counts manifold. Formerly, the Young Activists for Reform and Change (YARC), an amalgam of 35 organizations and civil society groups, accused the government of interfering in the electoral process and supporting a particular candidate for which government funds and machinery are being used.

This is a serious allegation charged against the government that has repeatedly asserted his neutrality whilst urging all government departments to refrain from campaigning for or against any contender. Factually, the issuance of directives and rhetoric as long as pragmatic measures of neutrality are not demonstrated to the satisfaction of everyone, will not suffice.