InfoAnda - Should Afghanistan's next election be delayed?

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Mexicans in drug war city call on army to leave | | 7 December 2009
SCENARIOS-NZ central bank to hold rate, eyes on policy stance | 7 September 2009
Bristol Palin, Hasselhoff join Dancing With the Stars | | 31 August 2010

KT Tunstall finds new musical edge on "Tiger Suit" | 4 September 2010

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Should Afghanistan's next election be delayed?

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail More Yahoo! Services Account Options New User? Sign Up Sign In Help Yahoo! Search web search Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Australia China India Indonesia Japan Malaysia Philippines Thailand Vietnam Should Afghanistan's next election be delayed? By DEB RIECHMANN and RAHIM FAIEZ,Associated Press Writers - 2 hours 44 minutes ago Send IM Story Print KABUL – Five months before parliamentary elections in Afghanistan, donor nations are worried about another messy vote and some international officials are even discussing whether the polls should be delayed. After years of encouraging democracy, some Western nations find themselves in the uncomfortable position of wondering whether another round of voting will do more harm than good in the violence-wracked country. The parliamentary elections are due in May. Donor nations, including the U.S. and Britain, fear the upcoming vote could be a repeat of the August presidential election, which was rife with ballot-box stuffing and deadly violence, unless deep reforms are made to clean up the Afghan-run electoral process. Another flawed vote would erode the credibility of Afghan President Hamid Karzai's government at a time when he has pledged to battle corruption and improve services. Also, having to guard polling stations in May would be a distraction for the 30,000 U.S. reinforcements and thousands of other foreign troops recently deployed with orders to stall the Taliban's momentum and improve security so development can occur. Afghan officials will have the final say on whether to postpone the vote, but the international community holds the purse strings. "We are ready to carry out our duties. The only problem for us is money," said Noor Mohammad Noor, a spokesman for Afghanistan's Independent Election Commission. "That is up to the donor countries who are providing us the funds. We are waiting for a response from them next month." While the international community has not publicly threatened to hold back funds, some Western diplomats are quietly hoping Afghan officials decide to delay the election, according to two international officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they want to avoid any appearance of meddling in Afghan politics. There is little consensus within the international community about what to do. Countries providing troops and aid to Afghanistan are weighing their desire to support the war-wracked nation's fragile democracy with the risk of financing another fraud-marred election. If the May parliamentary elections are held, significant obstacles must be overcome, said Melanie Scarlett, press officer at the British Embassy in the Afghan capital of Kabul. "Before committing further funding and putting our troops and those of our international partners at risk, we need to be sure that the lessons learned have been implemented and that the elections will make a contribution to improving Afghan governance," she said. On the other hand, India insists the elections be held in May as required by the Afghan constitution. "There is no question of India's views on this. The constitution should be respected and the aspirations of Afghan people should be guarded," said J.P. Singh, a spokesman for the Indian Embassy in Kabul. In parliament, lawmakers are trying to chose between honoring the constitution or supporting a delay in hopes that steps can be taken to curb cheating. `We have heard that there are problems with the funding," said Mohammad Aqbal Safi, a parliamentarian from Kapisa province in eastern Afghanistan. "This has created concerns among members of parliament because it is against the law not to hold the elections. And it has created concerns among the people who are not happy with the current members and want to elect somebody else." If there is no election, or it is delayed, the current parliament will be criticized as illegal, he said. "We want the election to be held," he said. "We know that in Afghanistan we have a problem, but we should find a solution to that and have the election on time." As debate continues, preparations for the elections are moving into high gear: Ballot boxes are being counted. Polling stations are being plotted on maps. Workers are completing a budget for the May vote, which is estimated to cost at least $120 million, according to the election commission spokesman. The presidential election in August _ the first run by Afghans since the ouster of the Taliban in 2001 _ was supposed to affirm the government's credibility. Instead, massive fraud tarnished the Karzai government's reputation. The election was so soiled that U.N.-backed fraud investigators threw out more than a million votes _ enough to force Karzai into a second round vote. The rerun was later canceled when Karzai's top challenger, former Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah, dropped out. Taliban fighters killed dozens of people during the August balloting, firing rockets at several provincial cities. On the first day of campaigning for the canceled runoff, the Taliban denounced the contest as "a failed, American process" and said fighters would "launch operations against the enemy and stop people from taking part" in the voting. Peter Galbraith, the former the top-ranking American in the U.N. mission in Kabul, said that unless the nation's electoral institutions are completely revamped, the parliamentary elections will be as fraudulent at the presidential ballot. "This will undermine the fading confidence of Afghans in democracy and will further diminish the already low credibility of Karzai's government," said Galbraith, who was fired in September after claiming that Kai Eide, the head of the U.N. mission, was not bullish enough in preventing fraud in the presidential election. "Unless the problems that led to massive fraud in 2009 are fixed, the only sure winner of next year's parliamentary elections will be the Taliban," Galbraith said. Shakeba Hashimi, a parliamentarian from Kandahar province in southern Afghanistan, is in favor of holding the elections on time, but having them on schedule will not make them free and fair, which is also required by the constitution. Hashimi said she will not be a member of parliament again because Ahmed Wali Karzai, the president's brother, already has chosen her replacement. "They don't want election, they want selection," said Hashimi, who campaigned for Karzai's opponent in the presidential election. "Karzai's brother thinks he is the king of Kandahar and can do whatever he wants." Mohammad Mohin Murastyal, a member of parliament from Kunduz province in the north, wants the elections delayed, but only briefly until reforms can be put in place. "My personal view is that if we postpone the election for a few months to get a good parliament for the next five years, that would be better than having a fraudulent election that would put the legitimacy of the newly elected parliament into question," he said. Recommend Send IM Story Print Related Articles NKorea weapons smugglers left trail around world AP - 1 hour 55 minutes ago Should Afghanistan's next election be delayed? AP - 2 hours 44 minutes ago Family of captured US soldier pleads for release AP - Saturday, December 26 China cracks down on online games: report AFP - Saturday, December 26 China jails dissident for 11 years for subversion AP - Saturday, December 26 News Search Top Stories Obama to Hawaii for holidays, challenges await him in 2010 Wall Street prepares to coast to end of 2009 Ukraine facing 'serious problems' paying for gas: Gazprom British royals celebrate Christmas Saab to shut as GM won't consider Spyker bid: report More Top Stories » ADVERTISEMENT Most Popular Most Viewed Most Recommended British priest defends urging people to shoplift Watchmaker 'stands with Tiger' amid new cheating reports Saab to shut as GM won't consider Spyker bid: report Deadly storm snarls holiday travel in central US Bethlehem fetes Christmas in the shadow of a wall More Most Viewed » Tiger's wife Elin seeking divorce: reports Century-old butter found in Scott's Antarctic hut Virgin unveils spaceship to offer space tourism Brazilian confesses to sticking needles into two-year-old Tiger Woods' girlfriend apologizes in TV interview More Most Recommended » Elsewhere on Yahoo! Financial news on Yahoo! Finance Stars and latest movies Best travel destinations More on Yahoo! News Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Subscribe to our news feeds Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS » More news feeds | What are news feeds? Also on Yahoo Answers Groups Mail Messenger Mobile Travel Finance Movies Sports Games » All Yahoo! Services Site Highlights Singapore Full Coverage Most Popular Asia Entertainment Photos Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Community | Intellectual Property Rights Policy | Help

Other News on Saturday, 26 December 2009
Iran willing to swap nuclear material in Turkey
Ukraine facing 'serious problems' paying for gas: Gazprom
One dead, nine missing after Greek ship fire |
Queen Elizabeth II praises the Commonwealth
18 killed in Iraq violence despite tight security
British royals celebrate Christmas
Bin Laden's daughter free to leave Tehran: Iran FM
Eurostar to run normal service on Dec 26
Eurotunnel says not responsible for Eurostar chaos |
Two more Irish bishops to resign over child abuse |
Top Russian doctor accuses brewers of spiking beer |
Ukraine has problems paying for gas: Gazprom |
Should Afghanistan's next election be delayed?
Family plea after Taliban video of captive soldier
Family of captured US soldier pleads for release
China cracks down on online games: report
China dissident jailed for 11 years for subversion
Quiet is watchword for Obama's holiday in Hawaii
China jails dissident for 11 years for subversion
Japan unveils record budget to boost economy
Text of family's plea for US soldier release
Family of captured US soldier pleads for release
Thailand rejects Cambodian allegation of coup plot
AP NewsAlert
Chinese dissident gets 11 years for subversion
Huge US storm puts the freeze on Christmas
Police say 9 die in bridge collapse in west India
Obamas salute US soldiers in Christmas message
Thousands volunteer to search for missing Md. girl
Democrats see GOP hypocrisy in health care debate
Fuel spill at same Alaska reef as Exxon Valdez
Feds repay Va. for Inauguration Day bus service
Nativity Scene Baby Jesus Stolen, But Returned With Gifts
Ex-Boyfriend Throws Molotov Cocktail Into Wrong House
Vatican Guards Arrest Woman For Approaching Pope Before Midnight Mass Service
Scalpers Legally Jack Up Ticket Prices For Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games
Website Allows Children To Track Santa
Indiana Boy Tries To Give Away Family's Cash On School Bus
Woman Pleads For Return Of 300-Pound Hippo
California Toddler Ingests Meth Rushed To Hospital
Pit Bulls Shot After Killing Livestock
FAA Taps Aerospace Technology Firm As New UFO Reporting Center
Israel kills six Palestinians in West Bank, Gaza
Eurostar hits back over 'safety' lapse claims
Asia marks tsunami's fifth anniversary with prayers |
UK paper names slain protester 'person of the year'
Ship fire kills nine off Venezuela: state media |
Eurostar denies safety lapses over train breakdowns
Six Palestinians dead in violence with Israel |
Obama to Hawaii for holidays, challenges await him in 2010
Riot on Christmas rocks Suriname border town |
Wall Street prepares to coast to end of 2009
China jails dissident Liu Xiaobo for 11 years |
Eurotunnel says not responsible for Eurostar chaos |
Catholic Church seeks talks with Colombia rebels |
Ecuador TV station returns to air after suspension |
AP sources: Al-Qaida link in failed plane attack
Al-Qaeda-linked Nigerian tries to blow up US airliner
A look at some recent attacks on transportation
NY man can't recover Madoff millions from ex-wife
Prayers and silence mark 2004 tsunami anniversary
U.S. says al Qaeda linked Nigerian tries to blow up plane
Mile-long sheen spreads near disabled tugboat
Divers search for 24 missing from Philippine ferry
Transatlantic Flight Narrowly Escapes Terror Attack, Nigerian Arrested
Obama, HUD Announce $1.4 Billion For Homeless Assistance Programs
US airplane incident was attempted terror attack: US media
US Christian activist enters North Korea: colleagues
U.S. Military Drops Pregnancy Ban
Pope Brings Message Of Peace For Iraq, Middle East On Christmas
Boston newspaper cane goes to oldest town resident
Nativity Scene Baby Jesus Stolen, But Returned With Gifts
Asia remembers day ocean unleashed its fury
Ex-Boyfriend Throws Molotov Cocktail Into Wrong House
Obama monitoring Delta flight firecracker situation
Vietnam sentences 5 Chinese to death in drug case
South Carolina Lt. Gov. Tied In Poll; Gets Endorsement From Huckabee
School Nurses Save Boy Suffering Cardiac Arrest
Obamas Salute Military Personnel In Christmas Message
China treating severe swine flu with blood plasma
Tennessee Woman Sentenced To 15 Years For Sex Trafficking
10 people killed, 2 injured in Malaysian bus crash
Divers to search Philippine wreck to find missing
U.S. rights activist crosses into North Korea
NKorea weapons smugglers left trail around world
Actor Sheen arrested for alleged attack on wife
China's Geely to leave Volvo intact: state media
Actor Sheen arrested for alleged attack on wife
Charlie Sheen jailed on domestic violence charges
Charlie Sheen jailed on domestic violence charges |
Winemaker in rebel Abkhazia hopes to conquer world markets
'What's in my tabbouleh?', Lebanese ask
Scribe writes Torah atop emblematic Masada fortress
Japan weather agency to end cherry blossom forecasts
Oscar Winner Rahman Charging $100 At "Free" Australian Concert
Tehran police, protesters clash during Shiite ritual
Croatia to elect president amid economic crisis
U.S. says al Qaeda-linked man tries to blow up plane |
Saudi rid of Yemeni infiltrators, King says
Barmy Brits brave winter chill for Christmas dip
Islamists claim killing of Russian priest
Clashes erupt in Iran on Shi'ite holy day |
Israeli troops kill 6 in West Bank, Gaza
Oscar Winner Rahman Charging $100 At "Free" Australian Concert
Clashes erupt in Iran on Shi'ite holy day
Gene Simmons Facing Assault Lawsuit
US soldier killed in Afghanistan bomb attack: NATO
Iraqi and Iranian forces stand off in oil well row |
Nicolas Cage Hit With Another Multi-Million Dollar Lawsuit
Afghans to hold parliament vote by late May: official |
Judge Rejects TRO Against KISS Rocker Gene Simmons
Europe tightens security after foiled U.S. attack |
Domestic Violence Mentioned In Courtney Love-Frances Bean Cobain Custody Drama
France berates China over sentencing of dissident |
Vanessa Hudgens Files Suit Against Website Over Nude Photos
Jade Goody's Widower Jack Tweed Pleads Not Guilty To Raping A Teenager
Amy Winehouse Charged With Assault Over Theater Attack
In election season, Iraq steps up Ashura security |
Justin Timberlake Named Top Philanthropist Of 2009
Vatican mulls options over woman who lunged at pope |
Judge Extends Britney Spears' Conservatorship
The nation's weather
Earthquake jolts Indonesia on tsunami anniversary
Strong quake hits off Indonesian island
Flint study asks: How does well-kept grass matter?
Magma building up in Philippines' Mayon volcano
Forecasters warn of continued blizzards in Plains
Failed Xmas attack raises new security concerns
India bridge collapse: 45 presumed dead
Tsunami's devastation: Numbers tell the tale
Focus on sex offender in Maryland girl's death
Bridge collapse kills 40 in western India
NATO: Taliban commander dies in mosque shootout
China bloggers fined for defamation: report
NATO: US service member killed in Afghanistan
Toyota to boost global output: reports
Pakistani c.bank buys 110.15 bln rupees of govt paper
Actor Charlie Sheen arrested in Colorado
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph	VPN on MacOSX	BlogMeter 1.01