Presidential Elections 2009

The Afghanistan presidential elections will be held on August 20th 2009. The previous election was held in 2004, and was won by President Hamid Karzai. He is now running for re-election alongside 40 other candidates.


Who can vote?
• All Afghan citizens who are at least 18 years old, and have not been deprived from their civil or politcal rights by a court of competent jurisdiction, are eligible to vote in the Presidential Elections.

• In order to vote, all individuals also need to be registered, and present a valid voter card at the polling station on election day.

• Registered voters can vote at the Presidential Elections in all provinces in Afghanistan. Afghan citizens residing abroad can not vote at the 2009 Presidential Elections.

Independent Election Commission
According to Article 156 in the constitution of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, the Independent Election Commission (IEC) has the authority and responsibility to administrate and supervise all kind of elections, as well as refer to general public opinion of the people, in accordance with the provision of the law. The IEC consists of nine members, including a chairperson and a deputy chairperson, appointed by Presidential Decree No.21, dated January 19th 2005.

Vision Statement of the IEC
Our Vision is to strengthen the new established democracy of Afghanistan through conducting free and fair elections, striving for quality and accountability in delivering electoral services and promoting Afghans trust and confidence on electoral process, building a sustainable organization with the ability to deliver elections independently.

Mission Statement of the IEC
The Independent Election Commission – IEC of Afghanistan is a constitutional body. IEC is a professional election management body; its immediate task is conducting free and fair elections and referendums in an efficient and impartial way.

Source: IEC

For more information about the presidential elections, please explore the official website of the IEC:
www.iec.org.af

On the independent broadcasting company BBC’s website, you can find answers to the most common questions regarding the Presidential Elections:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4251580.stm
 
On the independent news agency Pajhwok's website, you can find a complete list of the candidates running for presidency:
http://www.pajhwokelections.af/presidential_nominees.php

Presidential Elections Second Round of Presidential Elections in Afghanistan Independent Election Commission of Afghanistan announced that the second round of Presidential elections will be held on 7 November 2009. The first round of the second Presidential election in Afghanistan was held on 20 August 2009, has faced with claims of widespread fraud. Read more (10.29.2009)