VOTER REGISTRATION & ELECTIONS UPDATE Edition 010 • 05 July 2004

Kuchies relevant maliks (leaders) during their training on registration and elections Kuchies Register

Kuchies has never had a true census. According to the A liaison Officer at the Head Quarters has been Ministry of Bordering and Traveling Affairs (MBTA), recruited followed by 50 provincial liaison officers The total population of Kuchies in Afghanistan is proba- (KPLOs) from the MBTA and the Ahmadzai's Shura. bly about 3,500,000. They had a training on the registration process and a The participation of Kuchies in voter registration briefing from the Civic Education and the Small Grants will require specific strategies encompassing the migra- sections the 24th et 25th of June. tion patterns of the various groups. Any strategy to regis- Registration for Kuchies may need to be undertaken ter Kuchies will need the cooperation of relevant maliks following completion of the general voter registration in (leaders) who will decide during their meetings (shura other parts of the country (most likely conducted during jirga) timing possibilities and locations for voter registra- the summer months) because of migration patterns. tion and authorize , for example, a tribe to remain in one Hence, the JEMB decided to register them separately. place for a set period while registration is taking place. Their nomadic status will be written on their cards so they can use they will be able to use wherever they are locate.

Voter Registration & Elections Project • Joint Electoral Management Body Secretariat • United Nations Development Programme MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR

Upon my return from Bonn in December 2001, I was working I am not saying that we have very strong institutions in the gov- for the United Nations, I brought my colleagues together and I ernment, but the way forward is not to get rid of them but to work delivered a message that I am once again delivering to my peo- with them to strengthen them so as to overcome problems and ple: bring about improvement. " If you want to take Afghanistan out of the chaos in which If the Afghan nation wants to be a prosperous nation, every it was and put it on the tracks of development and prosperity one has to act above the ethnic lines. Ethnic divisions have where its people can live with their family with dignity and brought absolutely nothing to Afghanistan except destruction, honor, we Afghans, have to bring a revolutionary transformation isolation, and poverty. Afghans must consider that they are one in our behavior Whatever the changes in the political arena hap- nation. And that's it. pened, the Afghans stood against it. I urge and beg my country This is a golden, historical opportunity that Afghans and the fellows, let's say that: We see deficiencies but we are working Afghan nation have now. We have the support of the internation- with you so that we can improve your conditions. al community; we have to thank God we emerge from a long war. My dear country fellows, let's support our institutions!" We are now on the road to peace and democracy. Let's take part Let's not think that we should fight an institution so that a person actively in this process which will determine the future of our is replaced and I am installed. country and that of our future generations.

The JEMB wishes to express its deepest sympathy to the families and friends of the 3 registration staff who were killed in the incident on 16 June 2004 in Jalalabad. Our thought are extended to those who suffered injuries & we hope for a prompt recovery.

CONTENTS

Kuchies Register ...... 1 Message from the Director ...... 2 Small Grants Program ...... 3 School Election Project ...... 4 105 year old Registers ...... 4 Interview with the Director ...... 5 An Analysis of the Electoral Law ...... 7 Registration Update ...... 8 Financial Update ...... 9

2 SMALL GRANTS PROGRAM

By Rahim Yahya, JEMB Small Grants Officer 24 Projects Awarded This Week Province Description Kabul 8 projjects, most of whiich were rellatiing to the cellebratiion of mother day wiith speciiall focus on ellectiion. Kandahar 3 projjects, whiich are focusiing on llocall gatheriings L to R : Amin Shafiee, Rahim Hellmand of triibal peoplle on ellectiion. Yahya, and Zarif Seddiqi Kapisa 1, the first proposall from this proviince, lliinkiing the relliigiion and ellection wiith each other. Wish them success! Within the structure of the Civic Education, the Small Grants Wish them success! Logar 1 awarded. Thiis iis allso the fiirst proposall from for Civil Society program is an opportunity to involve the this proviince. Wiish them success! Afghan civil organizations, social and/or cultural groups of the Wardak 3 proposalls awarded on sport events and active Afghan citizens in the overall process of the election. gatheriings The program supports local events, entertainment sessions and Ghaznii Thiis proviince allso iniitiiated the SGP program any small-scale civic education initiatives. In four months, newlly since the start of the program, 125 grants have been awarded Baghlaan 3 projjects awarded on relliigiion, and concerts. with an average cost of $650 per project (the maximum is Herat 1 was awarded to Herat on mother day lliinked to $1,000). ellectiion Bamyan 2 projjects, whiich are focusiing on women, were The type of project is very open as long as it shows a con- awarded to Diiakundi of Bamyan. nection with registration and elections, and that it has the local Farah 1 was awarded on theater show for election. community participation. Cultural, sport events, any event or Outstanding Theater Performance in meeting that raises awareness of women, minorities, and vul- nerable people are eligible. Jalalabad Documentation is available at the regional and provincial JEMBS offices, often located on the UNAMA compound. You Last week, a huge gathering with the participation of more can also contact 079 205 854 (Rahim Yahya) for more infor- than 500 people took place in Jalalabad. The gathering was mation. organized by Hewad Film group and financially supported by We are a team of three national staff and one International the JEMB. The group performed theater role-plays and dra- staff at the head quarter in Kabul managing the small grants mas on the stage, which was reflecting the importance of elec- program countrywide. tion and encouraging the people to participate in the registra- tion process. Mother’s Day Celebration

A glance at the time of theater performance Celebration of mother’s day for election took place at the 11th district of Kabul city last week. Part of the program was devoted to dramas and theater about election and registration.

3 EVENTS

School Election Project 105 years old man registers

In order to raise more awareness on the democratic electoral process, the JEMBS in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, ISAF and the Headmaster of Lycee Esteqlal, has ini- tiated a "school election project".

One of Lycee Esteqlal stu- dents act as registration staff during the training.

The students at the Lycee Esteqlal have been invited to act as registration, polling and counting staff as well as candidates, voters and observers and on 23 June, 110 students from classes 10, 11 and 12 were registered to vote in the school presidential This week, more than 5 millions people will have been regis- elections. tered with 100,000 registrants per day. This indicates a 35% The project follows the model of a democratic election with growth of registration in the past weeks. time-lines for nomination and campaigning for candidates, Among the registrants this past week was a 105 year-old counting and announcement of election results. It is being filmed man who registered in district Khak-e Jabar, Kabul Province. He by the ISAF Media unit and will be broadcast on TV and radio has traveled for 5 kilometers to obtain Voter Registration card. across the country as an educational tool, showing such concepts He has been quoted saying, "I will give my vote through this as the secrecy of the vote, security and integrity of the ballot card to whom I like and who serves our beloved country." boxes and counting procedures. The students at the Lycee Esteqlal have been invited to act as registration, polling and counting staff as well as candidates, voters and observers. An electoral calendar has been set up with dead-lines for registration of potential candidates; announcement of candidates nominated; political campaign; training of polling and counting staff; election, counting and announcement of results. If the project is successful, it will, through the support from the Ministry of Education, and with available resources, expand into all provinces across the country where one high school in each province will be able to participate. A class representative will be selected per province to sit in a possible future school council. 4 SPECIAL FEATURE

Interview with Dr. Farooq Wardak, with the Swedish Committee and the United Nations. I complet- Director of the JEMB Secretariat ed a master degree in Management at the Preston University of Peshawar. and a M. Phil course in Community Health at the University of Punjab. Q : You already have a great career and wide experience. What made you interested in this area of work, and why is it important for you? What makes it unusual or unique? A : Right from the beginning, I was convinced that Afghanistan will be liberated and the Afghan people will rebuild their country, whose infrastructure and important institutions were destroyed. I Ghulam Farooq Wardak was born in the Wardak Province of had a dream of playing a key role in rebuilding my state and its Afghanistan in 1959. He completed his primary education in his important institutions. In order to fulfill that dream I had to gain native area, and his secondary education at the Rahman Baba professional management experiences with the largest interna- High School in Kabul, and joined the Faculty of Pharmacy at tional organizations and United Nations Agencies. So that is actu- Kabul University in 1978. While in the second year of the uni- ally the motive behind what I am doing now. versity, he was forced to leave his country, Mr. Wardak stated: Even though, the political horizon of Afghanistan, from 1986 "The first tough time in my life was in 1979 when I was forced to 2001 was so grim, I was deeply determined and convinced to leave my country. I was a young student in the second year at what directions to take. That was a driving force, and the right the University of Kabul. I was forced to leave because of my time, came in January 2002. I returned to my country, for the first position in the class, which has attracted the attention of the com- time, after 23 years living in the diaspora. From that day, while munist regime. They told me that I must either join them, or be working as Assistant Country Director of UNDP, I was looking with their enemy. I preferred not to be with them. I left my coun- for a national institution that could fully use my broad experience, try under extreme deprivation. My family stayed behind and did- including management of a large health program, community n't know about me, and I didn't know about my family." based rehabilitation programs, General Area Based Rehabilitation Q : We have a very limited biography of you; could you tell and Development Programs, Project Management and Conflict us more about your background? Resolution. A : Before I joined this office, I was appointed by the President It wasn't even my wish, to join the constitution making of the country, in consultation with the Special Representative of process; it came from the Special SRSG Mr. Brahimi, having the Secretary General of the United Nations for Afghanistan, as selected me to establish and manage the Secretariat for the Director of the Constitutional Commission Secretariat, and later Constitutional Commission. The driving force refocuses my ener- as Convention Manager of the Constitutional Loyal Jirga, from gy and my time in whatever resources I could use to rebuild my November 2002 to February 2004. State's institutions. On February 22, 2004 I became Director of the Secretariat When I was forced to leave the country in 1978, I had to walk of the Joint Electoral Management Body. In the past I have during the night, in the mountains. In 25 days I reached Pakistan worked mainly in the humanitarian field: Assistant to the UNDP from Kabul. Those with my first weeks as a refugee were the Country Director from January to November, 2002, Manager of toughest days of my life. When I recommenced my education at one of the UNDP projects called "Comprehensive Disabled the Punjab University, I had major difficulties, financial and edu- Afghan Program", from April 1996 to December 2001, Director cational, unfamiliar language. I stayed away from educational of the "Health Department of the Swedish Committee" from institutions for 2 years. I was in the mountains serving the civil- November 1986 to April 1996. Most of the operations I was ians under the constant bombardments, under very harsh condi- responsible for were conducted from Pakistan. Upon my arrival tions. All I did to make up with the rest of my fellows was my hard in Pakistan as an Afghan Refugee in 1979, I attended a medical work, harder than most normal human beings can endure. course which enabled me during 2 years to provide first medical There are a lot of dark days but also days that I am proud of. aid for the war wounded Mujahideen and the civilians. During that time I made some decisions, some intentionally some As to my education, I had the opportunity, through the not, that, thanks God, turned out to be good decisions. I had the UNHCR, to be admitted in 1982 to the Faculty of Pharmacy at opportunities to be a commander or a warlord in the eighties but the University of Punjab in Lahore. I received my doctor degree I opted to perfect my education as well as serve humanity as a pro- in November 1986. The following days, I commenced to work fessional, not as a fighter. The last 25 years I have never been a

5 SPECIAL FEATURE

cause of a bloodshed; I always helped relieve wounds and sor- A : The context in which we are operating is not so bad. I am rows. Also I had hundred opportunities to settle abroad, there very optimistic. There are few security problems here and there, was a force, a fire in my heart which all the time kept me away normal for a country that emerges from a 23-years long conflict. from the western society and put me where I should serve my So far I see a development in the rehabilitation of our society and people. This is something, honestly speaking, I am very proud the political structures taking place in a normal speed. We do of. As a result of that today, few villages in Afghanistan can say have enemies here and there. It is the most important process in that I was not there when they needed help. our history. The peace process initiated in Bonn is being consol- Now, I am no longer a refugee. There were so many things idated. This process had different stages: 1) a short term govern- that I wanted to do in my refugee life. Now, I am the owner of ment made in Bonn, it was responsible to convene the my own country and this is unique: I am on my own soil with Emergency Loy Jirga to establish a medium term government, my own people as I can do the things the way I like. I can man- 2) the medium term government was responsible to make a con- age my personnel and my family life the way I like it. I see the stitution approved by a constitutional Loya Jirga in the light of impact of what I do. During my 17 years of professional life in which Elections should be held for a long term government. exile, I managed health and rehabilitation programs in Now we are in the last stage of the Bonn agenda, which attracts Afghanistan from across the border but I could not see the the attention of both the friends and foes.. If successful elections impact of what I did. Here, whatever I initiate, I see the result. are held, a respected representative government will emerge We made a constitution we see the results, we register eligible with little room for those who do not want a stable and prosper- Afghans, we see the results. It is unique. And the most impor- ous Afghanistan. Hence, of course, the enemies of peace are des- tant is that the State institutions I help building stand on their perate. I am fully confident that we will overcome these chal- feet. I no longer work as a technician but as someone whose lenges as we did during the constitution making process, during impact is across sectors. the constitutional Loya Jirga. Inshallah we will go through this Q : Since time is running short (few months before the elec- process. If God wishes and if I have the commitment of my tions according to the Constitution) A heavy responsibility is team this process will have a successful outcome . on your shoulders: What should the top priority for you I don't fear for my life. Even though the enemies of right now ? What do you expect to accomplish in the time Afghanistan know who I am and what I am doing, I am not remaining? scared, but of course, I am careful and cautious. I am aware of A : My toughest and overriding priority is to ensure a timely, the threats I live with and the threats that I will live through but, legitimate elections and have a majority of eligible voters regis- on the other end, the drive, the force that is energizing me, the tered, if not all of them. Having a good balance registration list comittment that I have toward my people over the last 25 years is extremely important for me as well as a team working in a are much stronger than the fear and the threats I endure. 100% impartial, transparent, and credible way. We are putting Q : Back to your previous assignments :what are some of the in place all the preparation for holding credible and legitimate early lessons you learnt? elections. The product of this will be a strong state owned by the A : I have been working with international organizations for 17 Afghan people. I will be proud when the government, I am at years and learnt few good lessons: How to create a team, dedi- least playing a role in its establishment will be seen as credible cated, unified and informed of the objectives for which it is cre- and representative. That is my ambition, and my dream and ated, a combination of a top down and bottom up approach. Inshallah we will complete. These ensure the success, for instance, of the constitution mak- Another key objective is to create a structure that can work ing process. Her, this is more complicated, but I make the as an independent commission for the future without relying process as participatory as possible, striving for a common goal. very much on external support. Q : What do you miss the most? I am very realistic and optimistic. We will have a govern- There are many things that I am missing, that I used to do, such ment in Afghanistan, owned by the people of Afghanistan and as physical exercises, walk, going to the mountains, visit family recognized by the international community. Therefore the dis- members, friends. Now I simply don't have the time. My life is tance that was created between the people and the state in the fully dedicated to the successful accomplishment of the task in past will be bridged creating an environment of mutual trust and which I am engaged. confidence. I would like to have a government whose policies and instructions are equally applicable all over Afghanistan. Interview conducted by Clara Padovan Q : How do you view the overall situation and how do you UNDP VR Project Manager Assistant cope with it? Do you fear for your life?

6 SPECIAL FEATURE

An Analysis of the Electoral Law and lay the foundations of the future Afghan Independent by Jose Maria Aranaz - JEMB Legal Advisor Election Commission. An Electoral System. The law includes two electoral sys- tems; one for the Presidential elections and another for the par- liamentary elections. The former is a two-round system similar to the one used in France and developed from the provisions in the new Constitution. The latter is a Single-Non-Transferable Vote (semi-propor- Since January 2004 the UNAMA-UEC has been assisting the tional system) for the direct election of the Lower House (The JEMB with drafting a law that will apply for the transitional Wolesi Jirga) This seeks to accommodate the constitutional period. The challenge has been to assist with producing a law requirements of proportionality with the current reality of relevant to the current situation of Afghanistan, that is consistent Afghanistan. The system is characterized by its simplicity and with Constitutional requirements and international electoral establishes links between the citizen's and the elected candidates. standards. Special emphasis has been placed in producing an It reflects a current Afghan reservation on the part to be played election system understandable to Afghans citizens. in the election by political parties. This system has been modi- The process has included consultations with and inputs fied to secure the constitutional requirement that the number of from relevant Afghan players, including the Interim Afghan women representatives must be at least twice the number of Electoral Commission (IAEC), the Council of Ministers, the existing provinces. Thus, the most voted women candidates will Ministry of Justice, the Office of the President, political parties be automatically elected in each provincial constituency. It is and the NGOs engaged in electoral related assistance. envisaged that the Presidential and Wolesi Jirga election will The electoral law provides the key elements for running the take place in September 2004. elections during the transitional period. It is foreseen that at the The Upper House (Meshrano Jirga) involves the direct elec- end of the latter, the law could be modified. tion of Provincial and District Councils, on a similar system. At this stage the law awaits the signature of the President, but the These bodies will then indirectly elect members of the Meshrano main features of the law as drafted are as follows. Jirga, other members of which will be nominated by the The law will provide for :- President after consultation. These elections are dependant upon An Independent Electoral Authority, the IEC whose functions the definition and publication of the District boundaries, which and authority will be exercised by the Joint Electoral will probably mean their being held later in 2004 at the earliest. Management Body (JEMB) already set up under existing law. The law will also provide for the JEMB to determine This body is composed of the Interim Afghan Electoral whether and if so how, the Afghan refugee populations might be Commission (IAEC) and international experts appointed by the able to participate in this election process. United Nations. It will be in charge of supervising a national -Timelines. The law establishes timelines for calling the elec- Secretariat, headed by an Afghan Director to implement rhe tions (90 days in advance), for nomination of candidates (15 regsitation and polling, with the advice ands assistance of the days) and for the political campaign (30 days). The law estab- UNAMA electoral component. The government has accepted lishes as well an obligation for the Government to provide the UN's advice that the JEMB, as amixed national/International provincial boundaries and reliable population figures at least 120 body should remain throughout the transitional period to ensure days prior to the polling date. This is essential to enable the allo- that standards for free and fair elections are maintain. The cation of seats to the Provinces to be calculated and published. JEMB, among other roles, has the authority to establish the date Other key features of the law is the creation of a Media for the elections, to adjudicate boundaries disputes, approve can- Commission that will monitor and uphold equitable access to didates, examine complains and certify the elections results. The Media similar to the Media Commissions established for similar UN staff in place under the initial Bonn requirement the UN circumstances in Bosnia Herzegovina and Kosovo. should "conduct the voter registration" remains in place at head- On the issue of candidates the law bans candidates who quarters, Regional and Provincial levels. They are now working, have links with illegal armed groups or who receive funds from as Coordinators, Field officers, Civic educators, Trainers, and illegal sources. Logistics officers with Afghan counterparts at all these levels. This law which came into force on the date provide in the law, Their duty is now to advise and support the Afghan institution and is conceived to govern the elections during the Transitional and its staff. The objective is to combine capacity building with Period in Afghanistan increasing the degree of Afghan knowledge into the operation 7 REGISTRATION UPDATE 26 June 2004

Region Sites Open Sub-Teams Voters Registered by Region

Central 266 468 W 14% Central Highlands 64 128 C 24% SE East 230 445 6%

North 212 421 S 8%

Northeast 245 490 CH 7% South 152 256 NE 15% E Southeast 157 285 14% N West 213 426 12%

Grand Total 1,539 2,919

Country North Northeast

Women 38% Women Women 1,921,614 40% 43% 318,259 252,009 Men Men Men 57% 62% 60% 337,994 3,179,671 469,034

Total : 5,101,285 Total : 590,003 Total : 787,293

West Central Highlands Central

Women 33% 418,515 Women Men 45% Women 47% Men 311,172 53% 55% 161,929 180,053 377,686 Men 67% 864,912 Total : 688,858 Total : 341,982 Total : 1,283,427

South Southeast East

Women 21% 82,248 Women Women 36% 35% 114,991 244,367

Men Men 64% 65% 203,185 446,378 Men 79% Total : 400,801 318,553 Total : 318,176 Total : 690,745

8 FINANCIAL STATUS 5 July 2004

Voter Registration Funding Status Elections Funding Status

Total Budget 95,872,533 Funds required 102,283,078

In kind contributions Commitments Canada 7,278,872 Canada 3,800,000 USA 926,068 Denmark 1,515,000 TOTAL 8,204,940 Finland 1,200,000 Netherlands 2,400,000 Contributions received Norway 746,000 Australia 1,480,000 New Zealand 955,400 Belgium 1,243,781 Sweden 1,300,000 Denmark 2,354,559 UK 5,000,000 EC 14,700,843 USA 24,700,000 South Africa 6,000 TOTAL 41,616,400 Finland 1,248,439 Germany 2,162,454 Pledges Italy 6,242,197 Germany-MFA 2,640,000 Japan 8,200,000 Germany-BMZ 3,240,000 Norway 2,219,271 Italy 6,000,000 Sweden 1,298,701 EC 10,800,000 Switzerland 1,600,000 Ireland 960,000 UK 18,911,348 Greece 600,000 USA 26,000,000 Pakistan 5,000,000 TOTAL 87,667,593 Netherlands 930,000 TOTAL 30,970,000

Voter Registration Funding Status Chart

Donor Contributions (% of Contributions Received in US$)

South Africa Finland Germany 0% 1% 2% Japan Denmark Italy Belgium EC 9% 2% 7% Norway 1% 12% 2% Sweden Australia 1% 2% Switzerland 2% Funding Shortfall 3% USA UK 27% USA (in-kind) 20% Canada (in-kind) 1% 8%

If you need further information regarding the Voter Registration project please contact:

Aykut Tavsel Jerome Leyraud Imelda Tjahja Public Information Officer UNDP Voter Registration Project Manager Publication Officer Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Mobile: +93 (0) 79 301 045 Mobile: +93 (0) 79 306 315 Mobile: +93 (0) 79 335 539

Clara Padovan Fakhria Assad UNDP VR Project Manager Assistant Civic Education Assistant Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Phone : +1 212 963 2668 Ext. 5491 Mobile: +93 (0) 70 228 849

9