KABUL: The Afghan president on Saturday approved a new law governing next year’s presidential and provincial elections, an important step toward a smooth transition of power in 2014 and the final withdrawal of all remaining foreign forces from the country.
Hamid Karzai’s office said he signed a decree endorsing the law, which defines the legal framework for the elections and which was approved by Parliament earlier this week.
The law is supported by Afghanistan’s international sponsors and Karzai’s approval was widely expected. Foreign donors have made holding free and transparent elections a key requirement for their continued funding.
In early July, representatives from 40 countries reaffirmed pledges of $16 billion in support for Afghanistan, but cited the approval of two new election laws as a condition.
Last week, Karzai approved another law defining the role and structure of the country’s electoral watchdog and election commission. The two laws had been debated in Parliament for months and were finally given the green light by a joint commission made up of Afghanistan’s upper and lower house.
The balloting for a new president and council members for Afghanistan’s 34 provinces will be held April 5. Under the new law, candidates have to submit nominations for the presidential election on Sept. 16.
Karzai, whose second five-year term ends next year, cannot seek a third term under the law. There have been worries that he could delay the laws, either to postpone the election in order to extend his term in office, or to have the polls on his own terms.
The European Union’s ambassador to Afghanistan, Vygaudas Usackas, said the new laws show Afghans can take their future into their own hands.
“I am confident that President Karzai as a statesman of his nation will do everything possible to ensure a peaceful transfer of power in 2014 through inclusive and transparent elections,” said Usackas, who had strongly lobbied both Karzai and the Parliament to approve the legislation.
Karzai, who has the power to reject legislation, has expressed no interest in a third term, insisting he wants to retire after the elections. But it still remains unclear if he may seek to promote his own candidate, including a brother who is active in politics.
Karzai’s re-election was marred by widespread allegations of corruption, vote tampering and election fraud. He denied the charges but the acrimonious aftermath tainted his relationship with the West and the United States.
The US was one of Karzai’s most vocal critics and has been dealing with the aftermath of the 2009 vote to this day.
Afghan president approves new election law
