Amidst gruesome reports of suicide bombings and resolve of some countries to despoil the upcoming elections, Fair Election Foundation for Afghanistan (FEFA) depicted somehow promising picture about the future. The result of its latest report reflects that 92 percent of people support the election and 75 percent of them want to participate in the election. Nader Naderi has told that 4040 individuals were randomly selected from across the country and half of the respondents were women. However the survey shows that majority of Afghans do not believe that the electoral process be fair and transparent, expressing concerns over widespread fraud but their preparation to take part is a promising for deepening of democracy among the people. By taking part in election, whether they believe that their votes are valuable and fraud may not be to an extent to change the destiny of the election.

There are several interesting points in the result of the survey, on condition that major part of academic standards was considered. First of all, the wide support for the election show that during past few years, despite opposition from conservative and radical layers of the society, election has become an accepted means for transition of power. Common Afghans have accepted democracy is not something which is part of the global plot against Islam but a true and acceptable means for transition of power. It can deal a major blow of disappointment for those who wrote, “Death to democracy” after introduction of a law banning violence against women in lower house of the parliament last year. (Last year students of Shariat faculty of Kabul University held a demonstration against a law which considered punishment for those who commit violence against women on any ground. Some of them were carrying placards such as death to democracy, democracy means moral corruption and etc. which sparked huge arguments in the virtual world Afghan internet users). So, the overwhelming support for election which is one of the key principles of democracy among people, particularly in the southern provinces where stereotypically considered reluctant to election, show that the political conscience of civilians has developed. They have reached to a conclusion that those who rule by the name of successor of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) are the most corrupt. They just play with religious sentiments of the people and think only about how to keep paw in power rather than Islamic values.  Election provides an environment where people get the chance to elect and oust individuals on account of their sincerity and commitment to justice.

The second interesting issue was on what causes they select their leader. In response, 64 percent of respondents told that they vote on account of candidate’s experience, knowledge and skills. Though this figure looks exaggerative and furthermore long history of turmoil has developed a conservative culture among Afghans. People just prefer to pretend to accept or reject a particular Idea while personally may stand against it. Though all say that they will vote on account of knowledge, experience, sincerity and commitment to national interest, they act differently. Believe it or not, if the current presidential candidates go to province where their own ethnic group is a minority would not be supported unless accompanied by a powerful leader from the same ethnic group. The chances of present presidential candidates are calculated on account of their team members and their influence among ethnic groups. If a particular candidate chooses from among one of the ethnic groups, irrespective of how the team members be experienced and knowledgeable, he should not look for votes from other communities.

Hence, whatever people may say, language and ethnicity still play a major role in success of the candidates. Anyhow, during last few years some changes have been made in this old mentality. The possibility cross communal voting has increased. The combination of team members of the candidates reflects a ground change at lower layer of the society. Such communal combination, from another angle, shows that new generation to some extent id attracted to agenda and strategic plans of the candidates. So, I hope that as participants of the survey expressed, the role of ethnicity, language, regional and religion have become far attenuate.

Thirdly, though visible percentage of people believes that foreigners interfere in the election, they did not react harshly. 87 percent of them deemed the role and influence of the United States determining. Traditionally, it is viewed that Afghans are against foreigners, which is right to some extent. The controversy of Mr. President and his harsh criticisms sparked the notion that xenophobia maybe part of the genes of Afghans. But during last few years and pouring of huge amount of dollars for reconstruction of the country has fundamentally affected the people. Now you hear the people that openly express thanks to United States which once was deemed as the enemy of Islam.

Generally, Afghan people have become tired of continuous violence. The US as the leading player in restoration of peace in major of the country has find respect. Meanwhile the revolutionary development of media has revealed truths behind the interference of some regional countries that previously deemed as true supporters of Afghans. To save the country from any major setback, people support close relation with a strong ally like the US.