Afghainstan’s Presidential election is the third one since the fall of the Taliban, and it is hoping to lead onto Afghanistan’s first-ever peaceful and democratic transfer of power.
In the run up to Afghanistan’s presidential elections, the planned withdrawal of NATO led-forces by the end of 2014 is prompting concerns about the possible rise of Taliban attacks.
“Taliban attacks have always been there,” Afghan Ambassador to Turkey, Amanullah Jayhoon, told AA. “They even cut the voters’ fingers and attacked polling stations in 2009. The elections were brutal.”
He added that there is more enthusiasm for this year’s elections compared to 2009, and that the Afghan people are determined to participate in the polls in a fight to help democracy in the country.
The election is the third presidential poll since the fall of the Taliban, and it is hoping to lead onto Afghanistan’s first-ever peaceful and democratic transfer of power; it also comes months before foreign forces prepare to withdraw.
Eleven candidates will run in the elections to succeed Hamid Karzai, who has served for two terms and by law of the constitution cannot run again.
The U.S. and Afghanistan have spent months negotiating a ‘Bilateral Security Agreement’ (BSA) that will allow NATO troops to stay on after the end of 2014.
However, Jayhoon said that President Karzai has led the country through a very critical period, and needs more assurances from the U.S. before signing the agreement.
“There are some worries among the Afghan people about what will happen if NATO forces leave. But the Afghan Forces have already burdened the responsibility of the security of the country, although they still need training and support,” he said.
He said the Taliban want the foreign forces to leave Afghanistan and they continue to stage attacks, creating insecurity in the country adding “As a result, they may be encouraged to be integrated into political life.”
“This is what we want, if they (the Taliban) want it too, they can abandon violence and accept the constitution of Afghanistan…If they think the Afghan people want them to come to power they can do it. But not through terror and intimidation,” he added.
AA
