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2009 Voter Regeistration Observation

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2009 Voter Regeistration Observation 22000099 VVootteerr RReeggeeiissttrraattiioonn oobbsseerrvvaattiioonn Report By: Fair & Free Election Foundation of Afghanistan (FEFA) May 2009 Table of Contents Acknowledge I. Executive Summary II, Background and Introduction • The Free and Fair Election Foundation of Afghanistan (FEFA) • Voter Registration Process 2008-09 • Observation Methodology • Lessons Leant Major Findings Underage registrations: a. Change in polling date b. Negligence of the electoral staff Multiple registrations: Lack of Independence and Impartiality of the Election Worker: a. Political involvement of electoral staff Procedural violations by the electoral staff: a. Changing location of the centres b. Closing and opening of centres c. Temporary closure of the centre d. Handling of sensitive data Inaccessibility of the voter registration centres: Kochis and other groups’ participation: Women: Security: Presence of monitors and media Recommendations • IEC • Civil Society • The Afghan Government • International Partners Message of the Chairman of Free and Fair Election Foundation of Afghanistan In less than four month Afghans will go to polling stations to choose for the second time their future president and to ensure for the first time a transfot of power from one elected government to another last month. The voter registration process for the upcoming elections has been successfully ended registering more the (4.5) million elegible voters. The voter registration process was a major step towards further institutionalization of Democracy and realization of “people’s government by our people”; nevertheless, Keeping the numerous challenges in view, without full and active participation of hundreds of thousands of the courageous, devoted and committed men and women in an environment with serious security cancerns the process of voter registration would have not been a suc- cess. Improvement of transparency of the process, abiding by the electoral laws and Avoiding violations and irregularities during the registration process are indebted to the hundreds of courageous volunteer and journalists, who jeopardizing their lives and exhibit- ing courage for ensuring a transparent and fair registration. These men and women in differ- ent parts of the country has proved wrong a claim by the cynics who assume that Afghans are tribal people and doesn’t want to have a say in choosing their leaders. This exercise was another building of a vibrant civil society and paved further the ground for holding a free, fair, true And impartial elections in 2009. This report is the product of observation of the voter registration in four phases from which FEFA covered %50 of the whole registration process. In complation of this report, apart from more than seven hundreds devoted volunteers, but also the committed team of the Free and Fair Election Foundation of Afghanistan at the head quarters, and I thank them for their dedication and hard work. Finally this exercise was not 2009 Voter Regestration 1 possible if it was not because of the generous financial support of the international donor community that was managed and facilitated by UNDP. I hope this report can help in identifying the lessons learned and highlight the problems and deficiencies in the process, and can be useful for reforming and reinforcing country’s elec- toral system. In addition, it can be a tool to improve the level of knowledge of the people and their politi- cal participation and reinforce their confidence in the transparent and democratic processes. Inshallah Ahmad Nader “Nadery”, Chairman, Free and fair Election Foundation of Afghanistan 2 Executive Summary FEFA, Afghanistan’s only domestic election observation agency, observed the voter registration process that took place between October 2008 and February 2009, in four phases throughout the country. This process registered around 4.5 million new voters in time for the presidential elections in 2009. FEFA believes that the process was a successful effort that enabled Afghanistan to move forward towards democra- tization. FEFA observed the process with the help of trained volunteers throughout the coun- try and in doing do the organization found instances of great work by all involved however it has also identified areas that can and should be improved. FEFA hopes that all involved, including the IEC, the Afghan Government, the civil society institutions all view the findings of this report in good spirit and use it to im- prove the Afghan people experience of democracy. The major violations encountered, as evident in the graphs below, include: • Registration of people that would not be eighteen years of age on the polling day • Multiple registration where people obtained more than one registration card • Lack of impartiality and political independence of electoral staff • Registering women based on a list that was provided by male relatives • Location and distance of registration centers away from residential areas • Lack of observers and media in registration centers • Security situation that stopped people from taking part in the process 2009 Voter Regestration 1 The main reasons for these violations were: • Lack of adequate training of the staff by the IEC • Lack of appropriate vetting of the staff by IEC • Lack of female electoral staff • Lack of an understanding of democratic values among people and electoral workers • Lack of coordinated planning between different actors 2 2009 Voter Regestration 3 4 Recommendation: FEFA recommends that, as a matter of priority, following organizations take action in order to avoid repetition of same violations in future elections and registration op- erations: 2009 Voter Regestration 5 IEC: • Strengthen training to avoid under age registrations • Increase numbers of female staff • Raise the personnel capacity to process observer registration • Better plan locations of voter registration centers • Share information and consult with the Civil Society and other institutions on policies and procedures prior to their publication and implementation Afghan Government: • Develop and bridge the gaps in the electoral laws • Use the existing legal means to prosecute those that have violated electoral law The Civil Society: • Raise awareness of elections and civil and political rights • Enhances domestic observation efforts International actors: • Provide an effective medium through which election process and observation could be funded and supported effectively • Provide secure environment for all specially women to participate in the electoral process 6 Voter Registration 2008 – 09 Background and Introduction: The Free and Fair Election Foundation of Afghanistan (FEFA): FEFA is an independent and impartial umbrella organization which was established by a number of civil society organizations to: • Monitor elections to ensure that they are free and fair; • Promote democracy in the country; Promote public participation in electoral affairs; • Help consolidate public trust and faith in democracy and elections. FEFA’s core functions are to work on: • Advocating for better electoral laws and other legal and institutional frame- works • Stimulating public discussion of elections related issues • Monitoring all processes related to the elections • Assessing and evaluating the mechanisms for complaints and alternative pol- icies. • Encouraging the independence and capability of the Electoral Commission nationwide. The FEFA was registered with the Ministry of Justice on 12 June 2004 and began its practical work in the second half of August 2004. Its first observation experience 2009 Voter Regestration 7 was that of the presidential election of 9 October 2004 during which it observed the elections in 100 districts inside the country and outside of it in Pakistan. Its second experience was observing the National Assembly Elections during which FEFA covered 217 districts containing 65% of all polling centres. FEFA is committed to ensuring free, fair and transparent electoral processes in Afg- hanistan, and believes that broad participation of civil society in such processes is of great importance in realizing the above values and strengthening democracy. Voter Registration Process 2008-09 The voter registration process began in Afghanistan on 6th of October 2008 and ended on the 11th January 2009, although there are still a number of centres where people can continue to register until the day before the polling day. This process was conducted by the Independent Election Commission (IEC) that, according to the Article 156 of the Afghan Constitution, has the authority and re- sponsibility to administer and supervise all kinds of elections in the country. This in- cludes providing all logistical infrastructure, personnel and creating and enacting all relevant legislation and procedures. The IEC was funded by a selection of international doners to conduct the voter reg- istration process. The IEC divided the process in four phases, as shown in the map below. 8 According to the IEC during the four phases of the registration process 4.5 million new voters were registered. This brings the total of registered voters in the country to approximately 17 millions. Of the new voters, according to the IEC, more than 38% are female. In the course of the registration process IEC accredited media and observer organi- zations. The IEC accredited 36 media outlets to be present during the registration process in the registration centres. IEC also provided identity badges, facilitating entry into the registration centres, to 2204 observers and reporters.
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