Reports | Beyond Ballots

Category Archives: Reports

The Ongoing Controversy of the Special Court

Written on April 23, 2011 by media in Reports, Statements

Kabul, 23 April, 2011 — Upon recommendation from the Supreme Court and approval of the President, a special elections court was formed on December 15, 2010 to investigate issues after the Wolesi Jirga elections.

The Court’s members consisted of five Supreme Court justices and 10 administrative personnel. In its first press conference on December 20, 2010, the chairperson of the Court called it a special court and said it was a legal entity based on Article 32 of the Law on the Organization and Jurisdiction of Courts. The formation of the Court elicited varying reactions. The members of the Wolesi Jirga called the formation of the elections court against the Constitution and electoral laws, while the objecting candidates welcomed its establishment.

Keeping in view the preservation of the integrity of the electoral system in the country, the Free and Fair Elections Foundation of Afghanistan (FEFA) expressed its deep concerns in a press release on December 16, 2010. FEFA called any form of interference or decision from the judiciary about the election’s process and results as contravening the law and electoral guidelines, asserting that the legal authority to investigate electoral concerns and announce election results lies only with electoral bodies. FEFA asserted its ...

0 Comments - Leave a comment!

Women’s Groups Critical to Electoral Reform

Written on March 25, 2011 by media in Reports, Statements

Kabul, 25 March, 2011– Afghanistan’s leading women’s organizations should be included in the electoral reform process to ensure women’s concerns are not overlooked during elections, the Free and Fair Election Foundation (FEFA) said in a report released Thursday.

The 18-page report, titled ‘Women and Afghanistan’s 2010 Parliamentary Elections,’ details women’s experiences during every phase of last year’s disputed elections, from candidate registration through the seating of the new parliament. The report highlights serious shortfalls in the electoral system regarding women’s political rights and democratic participation. It calls for women’s organizations to be included from the outset of the electoral reform process due to begin next month with the creation of an electoral reform working group.

“Women’s concerns during elections must be addressed during the reform process,” said FEFA executive director Jandad Spinghar. “If women are left out of these important decisions, electoral reform will be incomplete and unsuccessful.”

0 Comments - Leave a comment!

Fifth Observation Report of the 2010 Election Observation Mission: From Counting to Preliminary Results

Written on November 3, 2010 by media in Reports

Kabul – November 2010

Introduction

After verifying hundreds of serious reports of Election Day irregularities, FEFA headquarters staff prepared packages of evidence and information and submitted these packages to the Independent Election Commission (IEC) and Electoral Complaints Commission (ECC) for follow-up. In keeping with its mission to observe every phase of this year’s elections, FEFA ensured its observers were present during ballot counting, tallying, and recounting as well. This short report summarizes FEFA’s post-Election Day observation activities and findings and makes recommendations to stakeholders for improving the final stages of the electoral process.

0 Comments - Leave a comment!

First Preliminary Election Day Observation Report

Written on September 20, 2010 by media in Reports

Kabul — September 20, 2010

The experience of the 2009 elections as undermined by pervasive fraud and high-level malfeasance determined the general expectations of the 2010 parliamentary elections. Definitively proclaiming how this year’s elections went in comparison to last year’s presidential and provincial council elections will require time, careful analysis of data collected by observers, and consideration of both international standards and the many challenges of holding elections in Afghanistan. Moreover, this year’s elections are not yet over. The electoral process is just that, a process, and it does not conclude with Election Day. The post-Election Day complaints phase has only just begun and the final results are not expected for another 6 weeks.

On Election Day 2010, FEFA observed voting and counting with nearly 7,000 observers at approximately 60 percent of polling stations nationwide in 3,538 polling centers. These observers reported to FEFA throughout the day by phone and SMS.

At this point, FEFA is ready to make preliminary statements about how the September 18 vote went. At the same time, FEFA urges all stakeholders and the media to withhold “better” or “worse” judgments until the entire electoral process is complete, and to look at different aspects of the elections ...

0 Comments - Leave a comment!

Fourth Observation Report of the 2010 Observation Mission: Campaign Season

Written on September 16, 2010 by media in Reports

September 16, 2010

Introduction

The parliamentary campaigns of 2010 were both more vibrant and more threatened than those conducted in 2005. Nearly 2,500 individuals put themselves forward as contenders. Women and youth candidates ran in greater numbers than in 2005, and many campaigns reflected increased understanding of the value of reaching out to voters, campaigning on issues, and appealing to interest groups. The media was more adversarial this time around, and covered the campaigns and concurrent electoral processes with increased professionalism. These developments reflect real and positive changes since the last parliamentary elections, and the negative aspects of this year’s campaign period should not diminish their significance.

Regrettably, election-related violence and intimidation cast shadows over campaign season.

0 Comments - Leave a comment!