This year’s election has dragged-out longer than any other similar process in the world. But beyond keeping the public in the lurch, political experts have argued that the delays in the election have led to a number of lost opportunities for the next president.
Based on the original runoff timeline published by the Independent Election Commission (IEC), the final results of the second round were scheduled to be announced by July 22. However, after delays caused by Abdullah Abdullah’s disputed claims about fraud in the runoff, along with inefficiencies at the election commissions, the vote audit remains underway and a final result is not expected for some time.
According to some analysts, the delays mean the new president will take office at a disadvantage, having missed the opportunity to represent the country at a few key international gatherings.
“The long lasting elections have taken many opportunities from the future president, such as the United Nations conference, Istanbul Process, follow-up to Tokyo conference, London conference and many other conferences where the president of Afghanistan could have participated and honored commitments made to the people, which is still in President Karzai’s hands,” Herat MP Nahid Farid said.
According to the leader of the Civil Society Association, Azizullah Rafiyee, the new president - whether Abdullah Abdullah or Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai he did not specify - would have brought greater “strength” to the table than Karzai can.
“The opportunities were a good start for the future of Afghanistan, but unfortunately, the opportunity was lost and the strength that the new president would have brought to the conference, President Karzai will not have,” Rafiyee said.
The election process has reportedly caused some government and ministry work to come to a halt, further exacerbating the challenge of this year’s transition. However, perhaps more important to the future administration in Kabul, some fear the never-ending election will undermine the public’s trust.
“When a process lasts for a year, people’s trust and hope are harmed,” said Saifuddin Saihoon, a Kabul University Professor.
For many, the uncertainty of how or when the election process will conclude fuels the problem. “A longer lasting election process will have unwanted consequences for Afghanistan; still it is not clear whether it will take another year or two,” Senator Daud Asas said.
With Afghanistan still heavily dependent on foreign aid and support when its comes to economics and security, the prolonged election process could have negative effects on important international relations as well.
“The conflicts has reached its peak, so has insecurity; countries who were here to help Afghanistan might lose hope and Afghanistan might return to 13 years ago,” Asas added.