KABUL - Observers who monitored polling centers around the country on Saturday have said this year’s elections were more transparent than the 2009 election.
The elections held on Saturday, marking the start of Afghanistan's first democratic transition of power in modern history, have been heralded around the world as a resounding success. Despite fears of insurgent violence and fraud, Afghans showed up to the polls in unexpectedly high numbers to cast their votes in peace.
Mohammad Naeem Ayoubzada, head of the Transparent Election Foundation of Afghanistan (TEFA), said on Monday that early reports indicate fraud in the 2014 elections was significantly lower than the 2009 vote.
Election officials and civil society groups have encouraged candidates to respect the vote-counting process and accept the official results released by the Independent Election Commission (IEC). Partial results are expected to be published later this week and "preliminary results" by April 24.
Spokesman for the Free and Fair Election Foundation of Afghanistan (FEFA), Fahim Naeemi, said candidates should support the counting process by being patient and abiding by the schedule of announcements.
“Candidates should be patient and let the process continue as scheduled,” Naeemi said. A number of candidates, only hours after polls closed on Saturday, speculated favorable results despite the lack of verifiable data.
Civil society groups have expressed confidence in the IEC's ability to fairly determine the result of the elections in a further sign that the voting process on Saturday was credible. Regarding any issues of ballot box stuffing, voter fraud or other improprieties, they have encouraged candidates to follow the established procedure for filing complaints.
“The candidates should help the responsible institutions by reporting and providing evidence of any illegal acts by sending it to the Electoral Complaints Commission (ECC)," Naeemi said.
Observers who worked at the polling centers said the massive participation and stable security created had a great impact on the country and its people. On Election Day, despite bad weather and the spike in violence that had occurred in weeks prior, spirits were high around the country.
Zabiullah, a resident of Kabul, said that he was able to vote safety and was confident in the integrity of the process.
One of the highlights of Saturday's vote for many was the broad participation of Afghan women. The IEC has estimated women constituted 35 percent of the over seven million voters that showed up to the polls.
“I hope the women of Afghanistan practice their rights after the new president is elected making sure he follows what he has promised the females of this country,” Fatima Gilani, a civil society activist, said on Monday.
Election Day turnout not only surprised Afghanistan’s government, but the world as well. Leaders of the international community congratulated Afghanistan for holding a peaceful election. Concerns about rigging and fraud that marred the 2009 elections were noticeably absent from the reactions that have filtered in since Saturday. (Tolonews)