Columbia International Affairs Online: Policy Briefs

CIAO DATE: 06/2013

An Anti-Fraud Strategy for Afghanistan's 2014 Elections

Zekria Barakzai

May 2013

United States Institute of Peace

Abstract

On April 5, 2014, Afghans will go to the polls to vote in what is considered the most significant election since the fall of the Taliban in 2001. Lack of security has been the main challenge to Afghanistan’s electoral process since 2005. While security will be the main challenge to the 2014 elections, the lessons from previous elections suggest that there is an urgent need to put in place an effective anti-fraud strategy. The Independent Election Commission (IEC) should focus on mitigation measures for worsening security situation and an effective anti-fraud strategy. These measures should be widely discussed with all stakeholders and IEC should publicly declare its commitment to implement it.