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Democracy rises in
Afghanistan
By Colin L.
Powell
On October 9,
millions of Afghans will go to the polls to select their President for the
next five years. After a month of campaigning, and months of planning,
Afghans across this rugged land and refugees in neighboring Pakistan and
Iran, will choose among 18 candidates. For the first time in their
history, Afghans will select a national leader by secret ballot, and with
the full support of the international community.
Four years ago, such a
situation was almost undreamed of. The Taliban had their grip firmly on
the levers of power in Afghanistan, and tolerated no opposition or
dissent. Human rights were trampled underfoot; women�s rights were
virtually non-existent. Children were not free to study, and women and
girls were confined to their homes. Investment � in the economy, in basic
infrastructure, education and health care � was at a
standstill.
Today, the Taliban are gone,
and the Afghan people stand at the dawn of a new day. Thanks to their hard
work, and some targeted assistance from the United Nations and over four
dozen nations and friends of Afghanistan, the Afghan people will chart
their own political destiny. At more than 4,900 polling centers across the
country, Afghans will cast their ballots. Provincial authorities will hear
voters� complaints of any irregularities. International and domestic
monitors will be present at many polling stations. Votes will be tallied
at counting centers in the presence of candidate representatives and the
media. The interim election commission will compile the results and public
the final tally.
These elections, while
extremely important, are part of an ongoing and irreversible process. Over
the past two and a half years, Afghans have come together to chart their
political future with the Bonn Accords, establish Interim Government with
the Emergency Loya Jirga, and adopt a forward looking and progressive
constitution at the Constitutional Loya Jirga. Next spring will see
another important step � parliamentary elections, followed by the seating
of parliament, and then the ongoing strengthening of local institutions
and the deepening of civil education. All of these steps embody the
consolidation of democracy.
�Powel is US Secretary of
State
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