Questions About Afghan Vote Appear to Fade a Day Later

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/10/international/asia/10CND-AFGH.html?ei=5094&en=904eb009f26b8ed2&hp=&ex=1097467200&adxnnl=1&partner=homepage&adxnnlx=1097438764-qhMht+H1ZqxCmTULudSqEQ

KABUL, Afghanistan, Oct. 10 — The quest by opposition candidates to have Afghanistan's first presidential election nullified appeared to fade today, as some candidates moderated their stance in light of a consensus proclaiming the election, while not problem-free, a success because of the high turnout and low level of violence.

Two of 15 candidates who had said they wanted the election redone because of alleged irregularities, most notably problems with indelible ink that had been meant to prevent multiple votes, indicated they would accept the results of an independent investigation that officials announced today. Behind-the-scenes negotiations were being held with others to ensure a similar compromise.

While reports trickled in about improper interventions in voting by both poll workers and political party representatives loyal to a range of candidates, observers again pronounced the election largely positive. The international community, which spent some $200 million to mount the election, indicated it had little patience for would-be spoilers trying to call its validity into question.

:(

things had happened that warranted investigation....

A couple of months ago I read an excellent discussion of this election at Asia Times Online. Even at that time, the author said that in the end, little would change, because Karzai was going to re-installed.
Now, the analysis is that Karzai has to deliver, so he's going to have more pressure on him since he's been "elected." And, some of the rivals are jockeying for position, so we'll have to see what barriers they throw in the way...

Right now, he's just lucky that huge car bomb was found....

waiting to vote - is still wearing the burka their choice or is it fear???? How would one know who was voting?

snip>
Inequality is so deeply embedded in this society that there are no easy solutions. In a new opinion poll in Afghanistan, 87 percent of those surveyed said women needed to ask their husbands' permission to vote. There was little difference in the answers of men and women.

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/06/opinion/06kris.html?oref=login

also from Kristof's article:
snip>
The entire jail is a kaleidoscope of woe. It's been two years since President Bush declared that in Afghanistan, "Today, women are free." But that's news to the inmates.

Nazilah, 17, had been married to an old man with tuberculosis who beat her - she was his second wife. She ran away and was picked up by the police. Now the authorities are figuring out whether they can return her to her husband's family without getting her killed.

Then there is Sohailla, 18, who says she was kidnapped for three days by the family of a young man who wanted to marry her (the police suspect that she went to his house voluntarily). The police subjected her to a virginity test; after she failed, she got a three-year sentence for fornication.
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Local girls look at a U.N workers unloading ballot kits from a U.N. helicopter in Ghumaipayan Mahnow village some 410 kilometers (256 miles) northeast of Kabul, Afghanistan (news - web sites), Monday, Oct. 4, 2004. By air is the only way to deliver the electoral material in the inaccessible areas of the Badakhshan province. A helicopter distributed on Monday 84 ballot boxes and electoral kits in 24 remote villages near Tajikistan's border to hold its first direct presidential vote on Oct. 9. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

As long as turnout is high, and violence is low it is considered a nice bit of democracy theater. By this standard, the old Soviet Union was an impeccable electoral democracy.

I recall that the reason given that some people had four or five voting cards was that they thought it would equal four or five assistance packets from aid stations. So, I guess turnout is high because it has been linked to getting food, money, etc. (reading between the lines).