Uncertainty about the outcome of a long-drawn process of voting a new president has worsened security and economic stability. Reports of fraud in the runoff election,
Uncertainty about the outcome of a long-drawn process of voting a new president has worsened security and economic stability. Reports of fraud in the runoff election, which again saw millions of voters brave Taleban threats to exercise their franchise, has cast a shadow on the future.Political observers and civil society activists consider it imperative that tribal rivalries are set aside, and complaints of rigging in the poll on June 14 rigorously addressed to ensure both candidates will accept the Afghan voter’s decision.
Already the Taleban are cashing in on the political uncertainty by launching major attacks in Helmand. Civilians in Sangeen district have fled their homes. “Everyday at least one or two people are killed. Life is very tough,” said Abdullah, a resident.
Major General Sayed Malook, commander of the 215th Corps, said security forces were providing emergency relief supplies to the refugees. “They cannot return home because the Taleban have planted landmines,” he said.
In the country’s north and east also there are complaints of security breakdown. There are reports of bombings and assassinations. Jalil, a resident of Faryab province, said, “Terror attacks have increased in Dawlatabad district after the elections.” Munir from Balkh province said, “There were explosions in different parts of Balkh … The murder of innocent people particularly children has increased.”
However, security forces in the north have played down the attacks. At a press conference Major General Zalmay Wesa, the commander of 209th Afghan National Army (ANA) Shaheen Corps, dismissed the allegations. “The forces of the national army and other security agencies are fully equipped, and the armed opponents don’t have the ability to oppose the security forces. They perpetrate destructive activities in remote areas, but even there we will fight against them,” he said.
Economic impact
Prices of basic commodities, which have already risen over the election imbroglio, are set to rise further in the fasting month of Ramadan.
The only relief was Afghanistan’s escaping a banking disaster with a global body that sets standards on how to combat money laundering deciding at a meeting in Paris June 27 not to blacklist the country. The Financial Action Task Force has given Afghanistan until October to “take steps” towards meeting international standards.
There has been a 20 percent decrease in revenue in the past six months. Abdul Qadir Jilani, the Ministry of Finance spokesperson, blamed it on the elections, particularly the second round.
“Our goal for the first six months of the fiscal year was 6 billion USD, but we have collected only 5.1 billion,” he said. Domestic manufacturing has been hit by an estimated 30 percent, according to Abdul Jabar Saqi, the deputy director of Afghanistan Industrialists Association.
“Manufacturers had been hopeful the situation would improve after the elections, but now it seems the political situation has worsened and they have lost hope,” he told reporters.
Everyone from home-based workers to women in business and agriculture in Herat were feeling the pinch.
Sweeta Durani, a manager at the Women’s Trade Centre in Herat, said 80 percent of businesses run by women were at a standstill. “The economic and political crisis have crippled women-led businesses,” she said.
Mohammad Aziz, a shopkeeper, said rising joblessness and the financial crisis had affected his business. “The current situation has hit people hard. If the uncertainty continues my family will starve,” he said.
“There is no doubt the election has had effects on people’s spending power,” observed Saifudin Saihoon, a lecturer in Kabul University. “We should elections are transparent and fair since an elected government can solve our economic problems.”
