On the last day of candidate registration for next spring's Presidential and Provincial elections, Afghan comedian Bahadorak filed for a Presidential bid along with three companions, bringing humor to a process so far laden with grandstanding and doomsaying.
The Independent Election Commission (IEC) office in Kabul was somewhat overwhelmed on Sunday with a flurry of last-minute registrations from a number of high-profile political figures. While most observers were unable to hold back smiles and chuckles, IEC officials found time to indulge the satirical theatrics of Bahadorak and his three vice presidents and processed their filing outside of the office.
In an over-the-top fashion typical of both serious political campaigns and the art of parody, Bahadorak arrived at the IEC office with his car covered front to back with pictures of him and his vice presidents.
After Bahadorak was registered by IEC employees, he summarized his platform priorities for the media.
"I promise to my people that I will connect the water of Band-e-Amir to Australia's water and I promise to create a paved road from Daykundi province to New York," he said with a straight face and the same practiced dignity exhibited by the earnest candidates who spoke before and after him.
Bahadorak was the only candidate that filed with three vice presidents. Abdulak, a member of the Unemployed Union, Nazerak and Jana Khala accompanied him as his first, second and third vice presidents respectively.
With concerns about security, fraud and broader legitimacy weighing down optimism about the upcoming elections, Bahadorak's display on Sunday provided a brief moment of light-heartedness that amused all those gathered at the busy IEC office.