For the first time Afghan presidential candidates are participating in televised debates. But so far they have disappointed voters by failing to spell out plans and programmes, say observers.
For the first time Afghan presidential candidates are participating in televised debates. But so far they have disappointed voters by failing to spell out plans and programmes, say observers.
The debates conducted in Dari and Pashto have touched on several issues including corruption, women’s rights, peace talks with the Taleban, security, and the non-signing of the Bilateral Security Arrangement with the US.
The people’s verdict is that there is little dissimilarity in the views that were expressed.
“The views were very general – the issue of security was debated without any plan or background. So also the development of Afghanistan. There was no effort to either analyse or assess the views,” says Azizullah Rafiyee, the head of the Civil Society Union.
Abdullah who lives in Kabul says he had expected “candidates would at least announce their position on the Taleban”. But they did not do so. “We are concerned the policy of calling the Taleban ‘brother’ will continue, and the morale of our soldiers would become weaker,” he adds.
Abdul Raul also lives in Kabul. “They should discuss rehabilitation in the coming debates, and candidates should hear the voices and problems of people.”
There are voters who think the presidential debates are an opportunity to “see and hear” the candidates.
Feraidoon from Ghazni says, “These debates show the growth of political culture and have mutual benefits for both sides – the people and candidates. We can see and hear them.”
Also Dawood Muradian, head of the Afghan Institute of Strategic Studies (AISS) believes, “What is important about the debates (is that it) is another step taken towards democratic culture.” According to him, the debates are proof of a growing democracy.
Tackle corruption
On Feb 15, at the first of the two presidential debates sponsored jointly by state radio RTA and Radio Azadi, presidential candidate Abdul Rahim Wardak, the former defence minister, said his first step as president would be to tackle corruption. He said corruption “has hit Afghanistan’s reputation hard; both nationally and internationally.”
Former governor of Nangarhar, Gul Agha Sherzai, said Afghanistan must “better utilise our economic resources”. Pro-Islamic independent candidate Qutbuddin Hilal said, “We need to rebuild our industries. We need to build new dams.” Daoud Sultanzoy who had represented Ghazni in the Wolesi Jirga said the country has to develop agriculture and mineral resources.
Shah Husain Murtazawi, the editor of Hasht-e-Subh (8 AM) daily, says the candidates had nothing to say about what they did to counter corruption while in power. “They were either ministers or held positions in the government. … Corruption existed in their ministries even if they did not utilise their development budget.” He thinks the debate failed to probe candidates’ past performance or their “efficiency”.
Leadership qualities
According to AISS head, Daud Muradian, none of the presidential hopefuls showed they have the ability to lead the country. “All candidates showed during that debate that they don’t have the ability to lead a country like Afghanistan with its many problems,” he says. “The debate showed up the weakness of candidates,” he adds.
There was general disappointment with the candidates’ views on the thorny issue of negotiations with the Taleban.
“Candidates should have showed specific ways to deal with the Taleban within the framework of the Constitution instead of continuing with the policy of the current government,” says Muradian.
“No one presented strategies. There were no drafts to show how each planned to improve the security situation,” says Ali Aqa Mazidi, a journalist. “People had hoped to see a draft plan. There was no programme either to tackle joblessness and poverty,” he adds.
The debates were broadcast by only Radio Azadi station. In a country where a majority of people do not have access to electricity, the TV debate was only heard in urban areas. In fact the canvassing has not really taken off even in Balkh, Herat and Ghazni. The lack of security to candidates and their supporters is being seen as a reason for the slow takeoff. Presidential elections are scheduled to start from April 5.
Gunmen shot dead two senior aides of Abdullah Abdullah in Herat City on Feb 1, a day before the formal beginning of the election campaign. Abdullah, a former foreign minister, had come second to President Hamid Karzai in the 2009 presidential poll, which went into a second round because of fraud charges.
Fazel Sancharaki, one of Abdullah’s spokespersons, criticised the lack of security provided by the government. He told the media “either the security forces are incapable of providing security … or do not take their job seriously.”
All three candidates who participated in the second day of the TV debate supported signing the BSA with the US.
Former Finance Minister Ashraf Ghani, former senior presidential adviser Hedayat Amin Arsala, and Prince Muhammad Nader Naim, grandson of former President Daud Khan’s brother spoke about the peace talks with the Taleban, the rights of women and BSA.
The president’s brother, Qayum Karzai, and former foreign minister Zalmai Rasul were expected to participate in the February 16 debate, but withdrew. However, they supported the BSA at the first debate of the campaign on Feb 5, broadcast by Tolo TV.
