Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission AIHRC

AIHRC-UNAMA Joint Verification of Political Rights

Wolesi Jirga and Provincial Council Elections

Third Report

17 August - 13 September 2005

United Nations Assistance Mission in

UNAMA

1 INTRODUCTION trends and general perceptions through interviews conducted with government authorities, political parties, candidates, 1. At the request of the Government elders, community leaders, members of of the Islamic Transitional State of civil society, journalists, the Joint Afghanistan and with the endorsement Electoral Management Body (JEMB), of the Berlin Conference, the United the Electoral Complaints Commission Nations Assistance Mission in (ECC) and the Provincial Election Afghanistan (UNAMA) and the Afghan Commissions (PEC). Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) are jointly verifying the 4. In total more than 140 incidents exercise of political rights in were recorded by the Joint Verification Afghanistan with a view to ascertaining Unit. Of these cases, 36 were verified; the situation of political rights; making 47 are pending further investigation; 24 appropriate recommendations to the were found to be baseless; and 36 could authorities; and thereby contributing to not be verified due to insufficient the creation of an environment information, lack of witnesses or conducive to free and fair elections. inability to carry out investigation due to remoteness of area or security 2. This report describes the trends restrictions. observed and maps out the types of violations and incidents that have Trends constrained the exercise of political rights between 17 August and 13 Campaigning Activities September and reviews the trends observed during the campaign period. 5. With the official launch of the An update on the recommendations electoral campaign, male and female noted in the previous report is also candidates have engaged in a variety of included. campaign activities, ranging from private meetings with shuras and mullahs to rallies involving thousands of METHODOLOGY people. Throughout the country, streets, shops and bazaars are checkered with an 3. During the reporting period, the assortment of posters, banners and flyers observers from the eight UNAMA and of Provincial Councils (PC) and Wolesi eleven AIHRC regional offices Jirga (WJ) candidates. The campaign continued to monitor the environment messages and interviews of over 2,000 and to actively collect information in candidates have also been broadcast on order to evaluate the conditions for the radio and television in 27 provinces. exercise of political rights. Verification While this has been a positive feature of activities included formally registering the campaign period, there are some complaints submitted by the population, candidates who have been deprived of verifying cases, undertaking field this opportunity due to lack of radio and missions to all the provinces to assess television programs in their provinces or the general environment, monitoring the districts. media and collecting information about

2 While the issue of the defacement of the Taliban have claimed responsibility. candidate posters has also resurfaced this While election workers have also been year, preventative and corrective action the target of such attacks, the number of by authorities and community leaders such incidents has decreased in the last have in some cases led to a cessation of month. such vandalism. At the same time, such problems persist in areas such as 10. While the climate of insecurity in Kandahar and Ghor. the provinces along the eastern border has been the primary area of concern, 6. There have also been a number candidates have identified other parts of of reports of candidates exceeding the country -such as districts in Faryab, campaign spending limits, engaging in Daikundi, Kapisa, Bamyan. Logar and bribery and slandering other candidates. Ghor- as problematic due to a variety of reasons, including the presence of Partiality commanders, the role of corrupt officials and the infiltration of anti-government 7. The increase in political activities elements. has coincided with an escalation of complaints by candidates about district 11. In the southern region, where and provincial officials abusing their most of the killings of candidates have positions and exhibiting partial behavior. occurred, security concerns are the main In areas such as Parwan, Bamian, factor constraining effective Ghazni, Helmand and Uruzgan, local campaigning. This is particularly true of officials are seen to be openly favoring Zabul, Uruzgan and some districts of certain candidates and deterring other Kandahar and Helmand. Most candidates from carrying out campaign candidates have reported that they are activities. unable to campaign outside of their areas of residence and their tribal networks. 8. There have also been three separate reports, two of candidates and 12. While police have generally been one of a candidate’s relative, being responsive in addressing candidate imprisoned and detained by local security concerns, the decision by the authorities. While the motives have not Minister of Interior (MOI) to allow been established, the findings in all three candidates to obtain licenses for two cases suggest that the candidacy of these bodyguards and two weapons has led to individuals may have been a factor in a great deal of confusion. Authorities their detention. have also applied these instructions with a great deal of arbitrariness, with some Security candidates obtaining licenses for a number of weapons and bodyguards but 9. Acts of intimidation and violence requests by others have been ignored. against candidates and community leaders have not abated since the Women previous reporting period and remain of serious concern. In the last month, four 13. Women candidates have been the candidates have been killed. In two cases target of a number of acts of

3 discrimination, intimidation and violent and procedures of these mechanisms. attacks in areas such as Kabul, Baghlan Many people are of the view that once a and Nangarhar. While these incidents complaint is lodged against a candidate, have served to heighten the security the ECC or PEC should immediately concerns of politically active women, it undertake action to remove the candidate has not prevented the majority of women from the ballot. There are also candidates from undertaking campaign legitimate complaints about the lack of activities or discouraged female voters follow-up and investigation of from attending political events and complaints registered. While in many rallies. Women candidates have actively cases, this is due to the fact that been campaigning throughout the complainants have failed to provide country, even in conservative parts of sufficient supporting evidence, there are the country, such as Paktia, Khost, also some PEC offices which do not Nimroz, Nangarhar and Kandahar. Many have the capacity to undertake are traveling to outlying districts, investigations and to respond to particularly where they are confident of complaints. having community support. Election Monitoring and Observation 14. There has been some negative reaction to such activities by religious 17. Thus far, 83,030 people have leaders, who in some cases have been registered to monitor and observe attempted to dissuade people from the elections, including 491 international voting for women candidates, claiming it observers; 4,633 domestic observers; is anti-Sharia. At the same time, other 77,339 candidate agents and 567 media religious leaders have espoused the representatives. opposite view and have pointed to Islam as a model that accords women and men the same rights to political participation. UPDATE ON It is particularly noteworthy that women RECOMMENDATIONS candidates in have been granted the right to campaign in the local 18. A series of recommendations mosques. aimed at improving the electoral environment were provided in the 15. In many areas, local authorities second report. They primarily centered and police have been particularly on improving security through a series of responsive to women’s security concerns measures, including enhanced and have provided them with guards, cooperation between the police, national upon request. army, and between national and international security forces; the The ECC and PEC dissemination of instructions and training for the Afghan National Police 16. Verification staff from (ANP); the creation of security zones in throughout the country have reported vulnerable areas to allow candidates to concerns about perceived weakness in campaign without fear of violence and the ECC and PECs. In part, this is due to intimidation; the establishment of limited understanding about the mandate provincial coordination mechanisms

4 between the chiefs of police, set up bodies at the regional and Departments of Women’s Affairs provincial levels to ensure coordination (DOWA) and the National Security at the local level. On the issue of police Directorate (NSD) at the local level to training, while there is no evidence of address the security of women police being provided with additional candidates and voters; and the provision training, police in most parts of the of necessary resources and attention by country have reported receiving the Electoral Complaints Commission to instructions from the Ministry of Interior monitor the electoral environment and to instructing them to adopt necessary remove those found violating the measures to address the security needs of Electoral Law. In addition, the report candidates. On the whole, reports recommended that the Government indicate that they have generally been broadly disseminate the legislation on responsive when requests for security Provincial Councils to the population, have been made by candidates. and to Provincial Council candidates in particular, to ensure that candidates are 20. However, unclear guidelines in apprised of the responsibilities of the regard to the Minister of Interior (MOI) office and to enable voters to make an decision to allow candidates to obtain informed choice. Finally, candidates, licenses for two bodyguards and political parties, polling agents, the weapons have led to a great deal of media, community leaders and civil confusion. The policy has been applied societies were encouraged to broadly arbitrarily and inconsistently in many publicize information about electoral areas. For example, in Herat weapons matters, particularly the role of the ECCs were handed out to four candidates for and PECs, the universality of the right to protection during campaign period. The vote and the secrecy of the ballot and provincial police collected the weapons voting process. Following is an account that had been handed out when they of the implementation of these received instructions from MOI that recommendations. weapon distribution was not in accordance with campaigning Security regulations. Similar issues have emerged in Laghman and Nangarhar. There have 19. JEMBS security have been also been a number of reports that while working closely with national and some candidates are being arbitrarily international forces to finalize the provided with licenses for bodyguards, security and force deployment plan for the requests of other candidates are not polling day and to identify where being addressed. There are a number of additional Afghan National Police reports of candidates exceeding the (ANP) and Afghan National Army number of guards and arms allowed by (ANA) will be needed. International the Ministry of Interior. Finally, military forces surge capacity, recently verification staff have noted that in many arrived in the country, will serve as a cases authorities are not checking to see back-up to national forces. The Joint whether the weapons and guards of Election Operation Center (JEOC), candidates are registered. which serves as the main vehicle for such coordination at the center, has also

5 21. In regard to the recommendation lackluster. In Ghazni and the western that the Electoral Complaints provinces of Herat, Farah, Badghis and Commission monitor the environment Ghor close communication and and remove those candidates found in coordination exists between the chiefs of violation of the electoral law, the ECC police, NSD and DOWA. Verification announced on 12 September that it staff have also reported the DOWAs are would disqualify 28 more candidates. Of active and supportive of female this group, 21 were disqualified for candidates in the Central Area. In the maintaining links to armed groups and South, the DOWA in Helmand has been the remainder for accepting government in regular contact with the Provincial positions or failing to resign from Reconstruction Team (PRT) and has official posts. been using this mechanism to address the security concerns of candidates. 22. The suggestion that security However, reports from provinces in the zones be established in vulnerable areas east indicate that the DOWAs are weak to ensure campaigning has not been and have not been effective in found to be implemented in any part of addressing the security needs of the country. Most of the authorities candidates. The fact that a number of the interviewed have noted that this measure DOWA directors have resigned from has not been necessary due to the fact their positions to run as candidates that candidates have been campaigning - namely in Paktya, Khost, Logar, in most areas and have not expressed Nangarhar, Nuristan, Laghman, Kunar, general security concerns. Instead, as Saripul and - has also diminished noted earlier, most authorities have been confidence, particularly among female providing security to candidates on an candidates, that these institutions can individual basis upon request. While this serve as neutral bodies. may be adequate in many parts of the country, it is of concern that no special 24. The response of the authorities measures have been taken in areas where however has been generally positive there are security concerns, namely in when female candidates have requested parts of the south and northeast of additional assistance. The Herat Nimroz, large parts of Uruzgan Ghor department of police has been and parts of Daikundi, Farah, Kapisa and particularly innovative and has Paktika. The governors of Kandahar and established a hotline for women Zabul have attempted to address the candidates. The phone numbers of NSD, security concerns of their provinces by International Security and Assistance requesting additional police to be Force (ISAF), European Union (EU) deployed to their region observers and PEC have also been provided to candidates. In Jawzjan, two 23. In regard to addressing the female candidates were provided security concerns of women, while in bodyguards, upon request. In Nangarhar some areas DOWA offices have been and Laghman, female candidates are very active in setting up arrangements consistently provided with ANP security with the MOI to address women’s upon request. The Zabul governor has security concerns, in other areas the held meetings with female candidates performance of these offices has been and has offered to provide them with

6 security upon request. In Farah the JEMB, has been using a mobile theater police provided five guards for a female and cinema project to hold mock candidate traveling outside the elections and to disseminate information provincial capital. On the other hand, the about the voting process. MOWA has Paktya Chief of Police has noted that undertaken a number of activities in the security will be provided to candidates north, east and central highlands to during rallies, but not for traveling disseminate information to women about purposes. It should also be noted, that the electoral process. The National despite security concerns and a number Democratic Institute (NDI) has of incidents in which women candidates organized over 2,500 training session for have been the target of attacks, most parties and candidates, in which they women candidates have expressed have relayed information about the ECC, confidence in the electoral environment PEC and the election and voting process. and have been traveling to even remote Local officials have also engaged in areas, particularly to districts where they creative activities to promulgate have community support. information on the electoral process. The Governor of Nangarhar launched a quiz Provincial Council Legislation show with prizes and a play on the electoral process and had these events 25. Throughout the country, voters broadcast on Nangarhar radio and and candidates have reported that they television. know little about the mandate of the provincial councils and have not been provided with copies of the Provincial FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION AND Council legislation. ASSEMBLY

Dissemination of Information on the 27. With the official launch of the Electoral Process campaign period on 17 August, political activities have gained momentum 26. Candidates, electoral observers, throughout the country. Candidate community leaders, the JEMB and posters and banners are profiled national and international organizations throughout every part of the country in have all been active in disseminating bazaars, cars, shops and street walls. information about the electoral process, Posters of women candidates are also particularly about the secrecy of the posted in city centers as well as districts. ballot and the voting process. A number of party leaders and candidates have 28. While candidate activities were incorporated information about the initially limited to meetings with secrecy of the ballot in their campaign religious and community leaders, there speeches. In Herat, the Ulemma Shura has been an increase in public meetings convened a meeting on the and large rallies in many parts of the parliamentary elections and identified country, particularly in , how it could raise public awareness Khost, Paktia, Ghazni and Nangarhar. about electoral process. The Afghan Male and female candidates have also Foundation for Cultural and Civil been witnessed using loudspeakers Society, an NGO subcontracted by the

7 mounted on cars as mobile campaigning FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION facilities. 32. The start of the official campaign 29. Larger rallies of over 1,000 coincided with the media commission’s people have been exclusively conducted launch of the Sponsored Advertisement by male candidates, and women Program. Most Afghan provincial radio candidate meetings have been limited to and television stations signed contracts smaller gatherings. However, some with the media commission to take part women have been able to organize in this program, resulting in more than meetings attended by hundreds of men. 2,000 candidates broadcasting their Women in Herat and Nangarhar have campaign message without cost. also succeeded in organizing meetings in Approximately 27 provinces are using mosques. However, there are cases in the system through a variety of media which women have abstained from outlets including commercial stations campaign activities due to tradition and and Radio Television Afghanistan social pressure in conservative areas (RTA). However, candidates have not such as Khost and Paktika. been afforded this opportunity in provinces like Panjshir and Nuristan 30. With the increase in political where there are no radio or television activity, there have also been reports of stations. The existing media in the 27 candidates and parties being constrained provinces are also urban centered and from exercising their political rights. On candidates in remote districts have noted 12 September, villagers from the that transmission to these areas is poor northern part of or non-existent in some cases. prevented a candidate from conducting his political campaign. The incident 33. While complaints about the resulted in clashes between the defacement of posters have been candidate’s supporters and the villagers, registered throughout the country, the during which several people were extent to which this is taking place is far slightly injured. Later a large less than expected. One factor that may demonstration against the above have led to an improvement in some candidate took place in the centre of areas is the role of authorities and . Provincial authorities community leaders in taking dispatched an ANP unit to the area and preventative and corrective action ISAF conducted several aerial against such acts of vandalism. In Kama reconnaissance flights. district of Nangahar, for example, mullahs have been effective in 31. On 29 August, people broke into discouraging people from destroying the recently established office of Hezb- candidate posters. Herat authorities also Azadi in Faryab and destroyed the flag issued an announcement on 17 August that it had hoisted only 2 days earlier. prohibiting the hanging of posters during The Governor has indicated that this nighttime to prevent candidates and office should remain closed until after candidate supporters from vandalizing the elections to prevent further incidents. the posters of other candidates and to curb the posting of posters on public property.

8 34. At the same time in Kandahar and where local commanders are seen to be Ghor, candidates have been seen supporting specific candidates. responsible for the destruction of the posters of competing candidates. In 36. Three cases have been reported in Ghor, on 11 September, WJ candidate which individuals involved in Dr. Ibrahim and his armed supporters campaigning activities were arrested and were seen at the Nili Police Station, detained by local authorities for what destroying posters of appears to be political reasons. A Logar other candidates. WJ candidate was arrested by NSD on 10 August and kept in detention for twenty days, including most of the FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT campaign period, on charges which were proven false. Verification continues to 35. While campaigning activities have be undertaken to address this case. generally been robust in most parts of the country, security concerns have 37. At the end of May, the husband of a made campaigning virtually impossible female WJ candidate was arrested and in a number of areas. Anti-government imprisoned for nearly three months by threats have served to limit political the Ghazni Police station. While no space in areas such as Uruzgan, Zabul, formal charges were brought against parts of Paktika, and Tagab and Alassai him, authorities claimed that he was districts of Kapisa. A spate of incidents being held for allegedly being involved in Passaband, Shahrak, Tulak and in the demonstrations against the Taywara districts of Ghor have hindered desecration of the Holy Quran in political activities in these areas. Guantanamo. However, verification Authorities suspect that former Ghor efforts indicate his detention was due to Governor and WJ candidate Dr. Ibrahim his wife’s candidacy, as well as his is responsible for many of the security political affiliation. Following problems in the area. Ghor district Lal intervention by tribal elders and Wa Sarangal has also been identified as verification staff, the individual was problematic due to the fact that it is released on 29 August. being used as a route for drug traffickers. Security concerns in Kijan and Gezab 38. A WJ candidate from Herat was districts of Daikundi have led to detained on account of possession and campaigning being nearly non-existent storage of drugs on 06 August in Kuske- in these areas. The recent abduction and Rahbat Sangi district. Following killing of engineering workers and intervention by elders, a delegation led security officials have also led to a by the Chief Security Officer of Herat number of candidates to abstain from Police Department was deployed to the campaigning outside Farah City. district by the Governor. The delegation Another area of concern is Pashtunkot found that the drugs had been planted on district of Faryab. In Badakhshan, the candidate by the police. It is not candidates have complained that they entirely clear if the motives behind the cannot travel freely in areas such as incident appear to be political. The Darwaz, Kishim, Baharak and Shuda candidate himself is uncertain whether he has been targeted due to his

9 candidacy. He also noted he was not for the candidate. Maulani has also well liked by the police due to the fact attempted to stop other supporters of that he had made a number of Jailani from attending gatherings complaints about the district chief of organized by the candidate. The Chief of police being corrupt and incompetent. Police has also attempted to pressure other candidates to withdraw on a 39. On a separate note, on 13 September, number of occasions. the convoy of WJ Candidate Ghafar Pacha hit an IED in the village of 42. Herat officials have been particularly Perakhile, Khoygani district, Nangarhar active in addressing partial conduct. The Province resulting in the injury of the evening news in Herat has provided three police officers escorting the coverage for the “Presidential Order on candidate. Five arrests have been made. the Conduct of Governmental Officials During the Election Process.” In 40. This reporting period has witnessed addition, the Provincial Governor has two incidents in which JEMB vehicles broadcast appeals to all governmental were targeted. On 20 August, four and public officials to abide by the JEMBS staff from Parwan were attacked Order. When the Civil Assembly of and wounded on the Bagram road on 20 Herat, a Shiite organization which August. The JEMB has assessed that its represents the Shia community, selected vehicle came under attack because it was 12 candidates that it would support mistaken as a part of the convoy of through campaigning efforts through Commander Haji Sardar. Sardar, who mullahs and mosque leaders, the was fatally shot and killed in this Governor called the key members of the incident, is seen as the real target of the Assembly to his office and advised them attack. In a separate incident on 24 not to use the mosques to advance their August, in Kolalgu Village, Zurmat political agenda and encouraged them to District, Paktya Province, a District provide the same support for all Field Coordinator’s (DFC) Jeep was candidates. Despite this positive measure attacked in the vicinity of NIKAM the Assembly has not ceased from Bridge. campaigning for the selected candidates.

43. In some areas increased awareness PRINCIPLE OF NON-PARTIALITY about measures against partiality have led local authorities to become more 41. In Parwan several complaints have circumspect in supporting their favored been registered against local officials candidates. For example, in late August, supporting specific candidates and Haider Ali Etemadi, the Acting District preventing other candidates from Governor for Lal Wa Sarjangal district engaging in campaigning activities. On of accompanied two WJ 19 August, a supporter of the WJ candidates Dr. Ruqia Nayel and Ms. candidate Ghulam Jailani was forcibly Marzia Alimi to their campaigning taken to Parwan Chief of Police events. While he did not directly instruct Maulana’s house in Said Khail district. the audience to vote for these candidates, He was detained in the latter’s house for he encouraged people to vote for a one hour and warned not to campaign qualified candidate and one with

10 prospects of winning. Mr. Etamadi was one point encouraged participants to also seen accompanying PC candidate vote for him. Hussain Bakhsh Safari to a campaigning event on the 29th August 2005. Mr. 46. Hamayun Sadaat, a WJ candidate Etemadi has been accused by a number printed campaign pamphlets with JEMB of people of providing such tacit support and UN logos. These were distributed on for candidates. When verification staff the 19th of August 2005 in Bamyan informed Mr. Etemadi that he was Center and Yakawlang. The candidate violating the Presidential Code of was given three days to withdraw these Conduct, he dismissed the warning and pamphlets. UNAMA staff also spoke to noted that they would not be able to the candidate’s campaigners in verify such allegations. Yakawlang and asked them to withdraw all pamphlets distributed. 44. In a similar vein, the Governor of Ghazni has been serving host to two 47. On 11 September verification staff candidates in the Governor’s palace. witnessed Mohamad Essa, the new Both candidates have reported that they District Governor of Koat district, are staying with the Governor due to Nangarhar, attending a campaigning security concerns. While the Governor event for Qazi Mohamad Amin Wakar, a has never openly instructed people to WJ candidate. The District Governor vote for these individuals, the fact that delivered a speech in which he strongly the candidates have been seen traveling endorsed the candidate and urged people with the Governor to a number of to vote for him. districts and accompanying him to official meetings is interpreted by many as tacit support for their campaigns. PRINCIPLE OF NON- INTIMIDATION 45. The Governor of Uruzgan has also been accused by several candidates of 48. On 27 August, the compound of directly supporting candidates WJ Muqur District Field Coordinator (DFC) candidates Mohammed Hashim in Ghazni came under small arms fire for Watanwal and Sher Jan Mazdoorya. A several hours allegedly by AGE, number of complainants have reported resulting in the DFC’s brother and one that the two candidates are located in the of his bodyguards being seriously Governor and COP offices and are using injured. Many DFCs from high risk the compounds as their campaign areas such as Zanakhan, Andar, Giro, offices. JEMB staff have confirmed Geelan, Nawa and Aband have witnessing the two candidates within the continued to express security concerns. Governor’s office on more than one However, this reporting period has seen occasion and have suggested that they a decrease in attacks against JEMB staff. were receiving favored treatment. On 1 Acts of intimidation have for the most September Zubair Khaksaar, Head of part been limited to night letters and Broadcasting, Nangarhar Radio and verbal warnings. Television, served as an announcer/commentator in a campaign 49. On a more sobering note, attacks event for WJ candidate Hazrat Ali and at against candidates have increased and

11 resulted in four candidates being killed. bodyguards exchanged fire with the While some of these attacks are not assailant, resulting in Karimi’s politically motivated, they have campaigner being fatally injured and one contributed to candidate security of the perpetrators sustaining a shoulder concerns. On 19 August a Wolesi Jirga injury. The two other perpetrators candidate, Abdul Karim from Qarabagh escaped the scene. The Chief of Police district, was gunned down by and the Head of the Counter Criminal unidentified men wearing police Unit have reported that the motive uniforms in Kabul's Police District 17. behind the attack was theft and the The nephew of the candidate was also incident was unrelated to the candidacy killed and a police officer injured. Local of the two individuals. authorities have reported the killing was due to a personal feud and unrelated to 54. There have also been a number of Karim’s political activities. isolated attacks against women in various parts of the country. In 50. On 27 August, Haji Atiqullah Khan, Nangarhar, on 4 September, three RPGs a WJ candidate for were fired at the convoy of a female was killed in the village of Kotwal, parliamentary candidate in Wazir village between and Tirin Kot of Khoyghani district, Nangarhar, as she when his convoy was attacked by fifteen was leaving a rally. The attack resulted insurgents. in the injury of her police escort. Three men have been arrested in relation to this 51. On 2nd September, a PC candidate attack. The verification team has also Khan Mohammed Yakoobi, four of his received reports that the village mullahs supporters and the newly appointed of this area have been publicly district commissioner of discouraging women’s political were abducted and killed in the district participation. Other female candidates of Ghorak, . The have also expressed their apprehension Taleban, claimed responsibility of the about this area. In Dari-Noor district of abduction through a radio broadcast. Nangarhar, another female WJ candidate has reported receiving a number of 52. On 4 September a Wolesi Jirga threatening telephone calls and verbal cand idate for , Haji threats, warning her to withdraw. Habibullah, was fatally injured in an explosion while driving between 55. In Baghlan, the vehicle of a female Garmser and Lashkar Gar. Anti- PC candidates was the target of an arson government elements have claimed attack. While the case is still under responsibility. investigation, evidence points to a political motive. 53. On 9 September, two candidates, Mullah Ghullam Nabi Karimi a PC 56. In Farah, a group of anonymous men candidate and Zabet Ghullam Ghous a attacked a girl’s school at Ginagan WJ candidate, were campaigning in Village near Farah City with several and Districts of Herat grenades on 23 August. The school was when they were attacked by three heavily damaged but no casualties were anonymous armed men. The armed reported. Leaflets were later found

12 scattered in the area, noting that the activities continue to be lack of financial Taliban were responsible for the attack resources and transportation. 2 and warning girls and women not to attend school or to take part in the 60. On a positive note, there appears to elections. be greater support for women’s political participation within the religious 57. In Kabul, a WJ candidate has community in some parts of the country. reported being followed and receiving In Herat, the JEMB secured a anonymous phone calls. She has also commitment from local authorities that complained that her campaign posters they can use mosques for campaigning continue to be torn down and has purposes and two women candidates submitted these complaints to the have already taken this opportunity to verification unit and to the ECC. congregate their supporters. On 30 August, in Chaparahar district of 58. The killing of religious leaders Nangarhar verification staff witnessed continues to be employed by the Taliban mullahs advocating for women’s right to to undermine the electoral process. On political participation. At the same time, 31st August, a pro government cleric, there have been reports of mullahs in Mullah Amir Akhund was stabbed and Rodat and Chokey district of Kunar beheaded in the district of Musa Qala. In warning their congregation not to vote a statement to the press, the spokesman for women as it is against Sharia law. for the Taliban stated that the Mullah During Friday prayers, mullahs in the had been targeted due to his candidacy. villages of Khowar Ghala, Yar Gul and While Mullah Akhund was not a Dosha Khil have publicly instructed candidate, he was a supporter of the people not to vote for women current electoral process. Despite such candidates. threats and violent attacks, religious leaders such as the members of the 61. There are concerns that in parts the Ulema Council in Kandahar continue to east, southeast and south, women will actively encourage people to vote in the not be allowed to vote and in its stead upcoming elections. proxy voting for women, whereby men vote for their women family members, will be employed. The JEMB has PRINCIPLE OF NON- stressed that this is in violation of voting DISCRIMINATION procedures and has forbidden polling agents from allowing such practices. In Women addition to being a violation of the Electoral Law, it could lead to electoral 59. Despite the fact that a number of fraud, particularly in cases where women women candidates have faced threats have registered more than once. and security concerns,1 the majority of candidates interviewed by verification 62. While some resistance to women’s staff have reported that the main political participation continues to exist impediments to their campaigning

2 For more information on women’s campaign 1 View section under principle of non- activities, please review the “Trends” section of intimidation the report

13 in religious circles and in more traditional communities, there is also · The impressive number of evidence of an increasing number of Afghan electoral observers and men supporting women’s candidacy. candidate and party agents who, together The posters of female candidates are with international monitors, will be able profiled in locations- such as guard to strengthen confidence in the integrity boxes and cars- traditionally reserved for of the electoral process, particularly on men. Moreover, men have reported a polling day; greater willingness to vote for women candidates, even in conservative parts of · The responsiveness of the the East. authorities in addressing candidate security concerns; and Detainees and the Hospitalized and Handicapped · The role of candidates, polling agents, observers and national and 63. Verification efforts have noted that international organizations in no special measures have been put in disseminating information about the place to allow detainees, the hospitalized electoral process and the secrecy of the or the handicapped to participate in vote and the electoral process. elections. This issue has been raised with authorities by the verification unit. In While we are witnessing a more open Herat, a non-government organization and mature environment for the exercise has assisted with information of political rights, verification also dissemination and public outreach for shows a number of negative features and the hearing impaired. gaps in the environment that need to be addressed:

CONCLUSION AND · Ongoing intimidation and threat RECOMMENDATIONS of violence by the Taliban and other extremist groups against those who participate in the electoral process is of Verification carried out during the past great concern, particularly in some month records several positive southern parts of Kapisa, parts of Farah, developments, including: the east, southeast and the southern region. While extremists have clearly · Access to private and failed to derail the electoral process, in government media by the majority of some parts of the country they have been candidates and the fact that candidates’ able to deter candidates from traveling campaign spots are now broadcast by and carrying out campaign activities. regional TV and radio programs; There is a danger that voters may also choose to stay away from polling sites in · The prevalence of campaign these areas unless there is confidence activities throughout the country by male that robust security measures will be in and female candidates. The trend of self- place to protect voters and the polling censorship witnessed during last year’s stations. process has significantly diminished;

14 · The continued electoral activism · The Government and the media of local officials, at provincial and should continue to stress that district level, on behalf of candidates government officials at local, continues to be prevalent. The fact that provincial and national levels have a some of these activities have involved legal obligation of impartiality and that acts of coercion and detention resorting to intimidation is a compounds the need to curb such particularly serious violation of the activities and to prosecute those who are law. found in violation of the law. Every effort should be made to ensure that · It is also critical that the every registered voter is able to cast their Government and the media take all vote free of fear and intimidation. necessary measures to relay information about the mandate of the Provincial · The continued lack of awareness Councils, as provided by the Provincial about the mandate of the Provincial Council legislation, to ensure that voters Councils and the failure of the and candidates are apprised of the Government to disseminate the PC responsibilities of the office before legislation is bound to diminish the election day. likelihood of voters to make an informed choice on which PC candidates will best · Candidates and political party be able to fulfill the requirements of the leaders should ensure that party activists position. at all levels understand and uphold the neutrality of officials in electoral · Public perceptions that the ECC matters. They should issue statements and PECs lack the capacity to investigate advising their campaign representatives complaints could weaken confidence in to abstain from seeking the support of these complaints bodies. government officials or any activity that limits the free exercise of voters. In view of this, the following recommendations are made in order to · Because the JEMB must rely on improve the environment in which the recruitment of local personnel in polling will take place on 18 September: order to staff more than 26,000 polling stations, it is particularly important to · Every effort should be made by stress to polling staff their own the national security agencies and the obligation of neutrality and, in international forces in order to particular, their obligation not to allow strengthen security in areas of the local officials or community leaders to country where extremist forces are interfere in the performance of their putting pressure on the communities to electoral duties. stay away from the election and in locations where local officials and · The necessary resources should commanders are trying to gain votes be provided to the ECC and PEC to for their favored candidates through enable them to respond in an effective intimidation and coercion. and timely manner to the electoral complaints submitted. This will be

15 critical to maintaining the integrity of the electoral process.

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