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Bribes and backroom deals: Inside the Afghan election

by albertacowpoke | August 18, 2009 at 03:09 am

170 views | 71 Recommendations | 9 comments

Support of candidates is a difficult issue in Afghanistan. The election and support of candidates is riddled with bribes and backroom deals. Afghanistan will vote on Thursday. This election is expected to yield an effective opposition.

For example the Karzai family yields a lot of influence in Khandahar province.

Ahmed Wali Karzai heads the Provincial Council. When some throw their support behind Abdulah Abdulah it is possible that they will have received money to set up a campaign and then be paid off to shut the campaign down.

Democracy is still far removed in this country which is ruled by tribal leaders.

NATO forces will stop all offensive Operations on Thursday to provide security for the election.

A few months ago, a dozen leaders from Kandahar's most influential Pashtun tribes called a meeting to decide whom to support in this presidential election.

They did not waver: Fed up with years of violence and corruption under Hamid Karzai's government, they chose to throw their support behind Abdullah Abdullah, the former foreign minister of mixed descent, who has emerged as a serious contender.

In Kandahar, it proved a difficult decision. The Karzai family wields enormous power in this Pashtun heartland, which is effectively ruled by his half-brother, Ahmed Wali Karzai, who heads its provincial council.

So the tribal leaders travelled to Kabul for a secret meeting with Dr. Abdullah, who, pleasantly surprised, gave them $15,000 to open a campaign office in a small rented house in Kandahar city. A few weeks later it was shut down.

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sara star

at 03:23 on August 18th, 2009

I cannot imagine voting in these conditions, yet many do.

jazzyzazzy

at 04:44 on August 18th, 2009

Its all a sham. Just get our soldiers out of the place, The corruption is rife in all goverment and official offices. No doubt the votes will be rigged.

peter.reardon

at 09:21 on August 18th, 2009

"Democracy is still far removed in this country which is ruled by tribal leaders"

Sadly, your excellent story reminded me of the current American government.

merlingraycat

at 11:00 on August 18th, 2009

Just another way to spend the American tax dollars. And Obama wants to cut Medicare and next Social Security. Supposedly to fund healthcare reform. More like to have money for the illegal wars in Iraq and the expansion of the Afganistan war.

politisite

at 11:12 on August 18th, 2009

Thanks for the story. I saw today where the taliban will cut off the finger of those who have voted. Maybe they should come up with another way of identifying those who voted...

Rory Cripps

at 13:45 on August 18th, 2009

YEAH! Give 'em one of those I VOTED! stickers!

Rory Cripps

at 13:50 on August 18th, 2009

ACP: Thanks for the story. I wish our NATO forces the best in the security detail and I wish the Afghan people the best. A nasty situation and I hope that there's no bloodshed as a result. I'm not very optimistic though . . . .