Source:

Websites on afghan Parliamentary Elections ("CNN Election Watch: Afghanistan") [ID 60]

Document(s): CNN Election Watch: Afghanistan

Source:

Websites on afghan Parliamentary Elections ("IWPR: Afghanistan Election Focus") [ID 60]

Document(s): IWPR: Afghanistan Election Focus

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Websites on afghan Parliamentary Elections ("RFE/RL/azadiradio: Afghanistan Votes") [ID 60]

Document(s): RFE/RL/azadiradio: Afghanistan Votes

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Websites on afghan Parliamentary Elections ("Wikipedia: Afghan parliamentary election, 2005") [ID 60]

Document(s): Wikipedia: Afghan parliamentary election, 2005

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Parliamentary elections from September 2005 did not fully meet international standards for free and fair elections but were perceived as acceptable and established the basis for democratic development ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 23284]

"Afghanistan is an Islamic republic with a population of approximately 30 million. Citizens elected Hamid Karzai president in October 2004 in the country's first presidential election under its January 2004 constitution. The September 2005 parliamentary elections--the first in more than three decades--did not fully meet international standards for free and fair elections, but citizens perceived the outcomes as acceptable, and the elections established the basis for democratic development at the federal and local levels."

Document(s): Open document

11.12.2005 - Source: BBC News

Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai appointed 34 members to country's upper house of parliament ("Afghan upper house MPs appointed") [#40464],  [ID 61]

Document(s): Open document

10.12.2005 - Source: European Commission

Report of EU Election observation mission of parliamentary and provincial council elections on 18 September 2005 ("Afghanistan: Parliamentary and Provincial Council Elections; 18 September 2005; European Union Election Observation Mission") [#41884],  [ID 62]

Document(s): Open document

04.12.2005 - Source: BBC News

Laghman province: Former militia commander elected to Afghanistan's new parliament, killed in gunfight along with at least 2 supporters; he is first member of parliament to be killed since results in landmark poll were announced ("Afghan MP dies after gun battle") [#40199],  [ID 63]

Document(s): Open document

04.12.2005 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Parliamentarian Esmatullah Muhabat and 3 other people killed in armed clash in Laghman; suicide bomber killed himself and one civilian in Kandahar ("Afghan Lawmaker Killed In Armed Clash") [#40084],  [ID 64]

Document(s): Open document

09.11.2005 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Cerification of 18 September election parliamentary results delayed by authorities; final results were awaited today ("Afghanistan: Election Officials Again Delay Certification of Results") [#38723],  [ID 65]

Document(s): Open document

08.11.2005 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Continuing questions of irregularities in 18 September elections ("Afghanistan: As Elections Results Certified, Questions Of Irregularities Continue To Cast Shadow") [#38720],  [ID 66]

Document(s): Open document

28.10.2005 - Source: Institute for War and Peace Reporting

Since September 18 parliamentary elections, one top-scoring candidate was killed and several others survived attempts on their lives; there are concerns for safety of winning candidates ("Open Season on Winning Candidates") [#38448],  [ID 67]

Document(s): Open document

18.10.2005 - Source: Integrated Regional Information Network

More than half candidates elected last month to lower house of parliament and provincial councils have links to armed groups; at least 50 electoral staff sacked for alleged fraud offences, following accusations of irregularities that sparked demonstrations in several cities ("Rights body warns of warlords’ success in elections") [#37872],  [ID 68]

Document(s): Open document

13.10.2005 - Source: ReliefWeb

Hundreds of losing candidates for parliamentary elections termed polls as unfair and demanded recounting of votes ("Losing candidates demand recounting ballots in Afghan elections (Xinhua)") [#37657],  [ID 69]

Document(s): Open document

06.10.2005 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

First provisional election results of parliamentary and province elections ("Afghanistan: First Provisional Election Results Announced For Two Provinces") [#38159],  [ID 70]

Document(s): Open document

05.10.2005 - Source: Institute for War and Peace Reporting

Ballot fraud complaints, including complaints about bias by polling and counting staff and about candidates coercing voters, reported across the country; some of alleged abuses resulted in election staff being fired ("Poll Fraud Claims") [#37328],  [ID 71]

Document(s): Open document

03.10.2005 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Protests against killing of Mohammad Ashraf Ramazan - key ethnic Hazara parliamentary candidate - spread to Kabul ("Afghan Protests Spread To Kabul") [#38164],  [ID 72]

Document(s): Open document

27.09.2005 - Source: BBC News

Mazar-e-Sharif: Candidate in country's elections killed by unknown attackers ("Candidate killed in Afghanistan") [#37072],  [ID 73]

Document(s): Open document

20.09.2005 - Source: Integrated Regional Information Network

Although polling day passed off without major incident, preliminary report by EU observer mission said shortcomings during campaign included intimidation, intervention by officials, inadequate voter lists and killings of candidates and election workers ("Vote counting under way") [#36912],  [ID 74]

Document(s): Open document

20.09.2005 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

EU election observation mission says election day generally well-administered but observed serious electoral and security shortcomings ("Afghanistan: EU Monitors Say Vote Well-Run Despite Security Concerns") [#36882],  [ID 75]

Document(s): Open document

19.09.2005 - Source: European Commission

Statement of preliminiary findings and conclusions of EU Election Observation Mission on parliamentary and provincial elections of 18 September ("Largely peaceful election day and generally well-administered election process so far, despite shortcomings and challenges ahead, mark an important step forward for Afghanistan; Statement of Preliminary Findings and Conclusions") [#36920],  [ID 76]

Document(s): Open document

19.09.2005 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Amid threats by Taliban fighters to disrupt vote turnout of voters appeared to be low ("Afghans Cast Ballots In Historic Election") [#36840],  [ID 77]

Document(s): Open document

18.09.2005 - Source: Cable News Network

Websites on afghan Parliamentary Elections ("Joint Electoral Management Body (JEMB): Wolesi Jirga (Parliament) & Provincial Council Elections 2005") [ID 60]

Document(s): Joint Electoral Management Body (JEMB): Wolesi Jirga (Parliament) & Provincial Council Elections 2005

18.09.2005 - Source: Institute for War and Peace Reporting

Despite some violent incidents across the country, first democratic parliamentary elections in three decades passed off quietly ("Historic Vote Passes Off Quietly") [#36845],  [ID 78]

Document(s): Open document

18.09.2005 - Source: ReliefWeb

Kabul: 9 people killed in attack on UN warehouse; Khost: 2 policemen killed, and US soldier and 2 Afghan soldiers injured in attack by Taliban militants; more people killed in attacks across the country ("Afghanistan holds first parliamentary vote in 30 years (AFP)") [#36738],  [ID 79]

Document(s): Open document

18.09.2005 - Source: Institute for War and Peace Reporting

Parwan: Parliamentary candidate who was excluded from election ballot for allegedly breaking election rules, reinstated ("Parwan's On-Off Candidate") [#36843],  [ID 80]

Document(s): Open document

18.09.2005 - Source: Integrated Regional Information Network

Country's first parliamentary and provincial poll in 30 years passed without major incidents, with high degree of voter participation ("High turnout and little violence as nation votes") [#36749],  [ID 81]

Document(s): Open document

18.09.2005 - Source:

The White House: Elections in Afghanistan [ID 82]

Background summary on procedural aspects.

"- Joint Electoral Management Body

On July 26, 2003, the Government of Afghanistan established the Joint Electoral Management Body (“JEMB”), a 13-member independent body (consisting of 9 Afghan and 4 international commissioners), to oversee the electoral process during the transitional period in Afghanistan.
The JEMB Secretariat is the executive arm of the JEMB and is responsible for implementation of the electoral operation. The JEMB Secretariat will have 6,000 Afghan and 425 international staff active in 8 regional and 34 provincial offices.

- Voters

More than 10 million Afghans (41% of them women) registered to vote in the October 2004 presidential election.
For Afghans who did not register to vote last year, the JEMB conducted voter registration from June 25 through July 21. Over 1.5 million new voter registration cards were issued, 44% were to women voters.
To be eligible to vote, a person must be at least 18 years old and a citizen of Afghanistan.

- Lower House of the National Assembly

On September 18, voters will directly elect representatives to the 249-person Lower House (“Wolesi Jirga” or House of People) of the National Assembly. Seat allocations in the Lower House are proportional to the population of the provinces.
Afghan citizens over the age of 25 who are registered to vote, have not been convicted of committing a crime against humanity, and who do not have ties to illegal armed militia groups are eligible to run as candidates for the National Assembly.
A total of 2,707 candidates (582 women) are registered.

- Provincial Councils

Voters will also elect members of 34 provincial councils, the size of which are determined by the population of the province. Provincial Councils will participate in the development of the provinces and improvement of provincial administration.
Afghan citizens who are at least 18 years old, are registered to vote, and have not been convicted of committing a crime against humanity can be nominated as candidates for the Provincial Councils.
A total of 3,025 Afghans (279 of them women) have been nominated as candidates for the Provincial Councils.

- Upper House of the National Assembly

Once elected, each Provincial Council will elect one of its members to sit in the Upper House (“Meshrano Jirga” or House of Elders) of the National Assembly.
Under the Afghan Constitution, the 102-person Upper House also includes representatives indirectly elected by district councils (34) and representatives appointed by the President (34).

District Council elections were originally scheduled to take place at the same time as the Lower House and Provincial Council elections. Since district numbers, boundaries and population figures have yet to be determined, District Council elections will not be held in 2005. The National Assembly, once constituted, will be tasked by the President to resolve the district issues.

In order to maintain balance between indirectly elected members and presidential appointees, it is anticipated that President Karzai will appoint only half of his representatives to the Upper House (17) which will sit with 51 members until District Elections have taken place.

- Representation of Women

The Afghan Constitution and Electoral Law guarantee the representation of women in the Lower House and in Provincial Councils.
In the Lower House, 68 seats have been reserved for women candidates. Two seats have been set aside for women delegates in each Provincial Council.

- Polling Stations

Polling will take place in 28,157 polling stations in 6,000 locations throughout Afghanistan.
Afghans will vote in exclusively male or female polling stations staffed by almost 200,000 polling staff.

- Election Budget

UN and Afghan authorities predict that the total election budget will be about $149 million of which $ million has been received or pledged.
The United States is the largest single donor, contributing $50 million to the National Assembly elections.

- Election security

Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police forces, with support from Coalition and NATO/ISAF forces, stand ready toimplement a comprehensive security strategy to ensure that extremist elements do not disrupt the electoral process.

- Post Election Process

After the election, ballots will be collected in provincial counting centers.
It is estimated that vote counting may take 3 – 4 weeks. During this period the Electoral Complaints Commission will investigate election-related complaints.
Once complaints have been addressed and the counting of ballots has been completed, election results will be announced."

Document(s): Open document

17.09.2005 - Source: BBC News

Afghan election guide [ID 83]

Background information on the elections

Document(s): Open document

17.09.2005 - Source: Integrated Regional Information Network

Helmand: Candidate standing for parliament killed ("Electorate urged to vote despite risks") [#36748],  [ID 84]

Document(s): Open document

17.09.2005 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Dozens of people killed in pre-election violence; 3 journalists kidnapped, 2 of them are still being held; at least 2 journalists arrested and many others threatened ("Journalists abducted, arrested and threatened in pre-election violence") [#36726],  [ID 85]

Document(s): Open document

16.09.2005 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Women candidates for parliamentary elections face death threats in most of the country; women voters are threatened by men in their families and guided who to vote for ("Afghanistan: Shooting Highlights Threat To Country's Female Candidates") [#36730],  [ID 86]

Document(s): Open document

16.09.2005 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Helmand: Suspected Taliban killed candidate 3 days before country's elections; so far 7 candidates, 4 election workers and 7 clerics in favour of election process were killed ("Afghan Candidate Gunned Down Days Ahead Of Vote") [#36708],  [ID 87]

Document(s): Open document

16.09.2005 - Source: ReliefWeb

Helmand: Candidate in parliamentary elections killed by suspected Taliban militants ("Taliban kill seventh Afghan election candidate days before poll (AFP)") [#36665],  [ID 88]

Document(s): Open document

15.09.2005 - Source: Committee to Protect Journalists

Nuristan: Journalist, cameraman and government employee abducted by unknown assailants during attack which also left parliamentary candidate injured ("Journalist among three seized by unknown attackers") [#36702],  [ID 89]

Document(s): Open document

15.09.2005 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Parliamentary elections and elections for local councils will be held the same day; political awareness is low in Afghanistan; worries that those responsible for human rights abuses, war crimes and drug trafficking win because of power and money ("Afghanistan: Key Parliamentary, Provincial Elections Approach") [#36658],  [ID 90]

Document(s): Open document

15.09.2005 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Marking voters' fingers with ink in 2004 presidential elections to prevent them from voting repeatedly will also be employed in September parliamentary elections; organizers say last year problems are resolved and ink cannot be rubbed off ("Afghanistan: Election Organizers Say Ink Problems Resolved") [#36653],  [ID 92]

Document(s): Open document

15.09.2005 - Source: Human Rights Watch

Report on key areas of concern ahead of parliamentary and provincial elections on September 18 ("Afghanistan on the Eve of Parliamentary and Provincial Elections") [#36643],  [ID 93]

Document(s): Open document

15.09.2005 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Afghan Interior Minister vowed that armed opposition would not succeed in derailing elections on 18 September; female candidate wounded in gun attack; so far 6 candidates were killed ("Kabul Says Taliban Cannot Derail Afghan Vote") [#36656],  [ID 94]

Document(s): Open document

15.09.2005 - Source: ReliefWeb

Kunar: Female candidate running for upcoming parliamentary elections injured in gun attack; since start of election process 5 candidates and 5 electoral workers killed, and one candidate missing ("Female election candidate injured in gun attack in Afghanistan (DPA)") [#36635],  [ID 95]

Document(s): Open document

14.09.2005 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Candidates for parliamentary elections not only identified by name but also by complicated system of symbols in order to allow illiterate voters to cast ballot; 84 percent of Afghan women and 55 percent of Afghan men are illiterate ("Afghanistan: Ballot Papers Feature Unique System Of Candidate Symbols") [#36651],  [ID 91]

Document(s): Open document

14.09.2005 - Source: Institute for War and Peace Reporting

45 parliamentary candidates struck off ballot sheet for various reasons (links to illegal armed groups, technical breaches of election code, not giving up government post) ("Might is Right in Election Vetting") [#36637],  [ID 96]

Document(s): Open document

14.09.2005 - Source: Institute for War and Peace Reporting

Herat: Candidates claim some of their rivals are seeking to gain unfair advantage, but campaigning has generally been free of intimidation ("All Quiet as Western City Heads for Poll") [#36636],  [ID 97]

Document(s): Open document

14.09.2005 - Source: BBC News

Uruzgan: 7 people, carrying voter cards ahead of upcoming parliamentary elections, killed by Taliban militants ("Taleban 'kill voters in ambush'") [#36555],  [ID 98]

Document(s): Open document

13.09.2005 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

President Karzai claims allowing candidates accused of human rights violations to run in 18 September parliamentary elections is in interest of national reconciliation ("Karzai Defends Taliban Participation In Election") [#36580],  [ID 99]

Document(s): Open document

13.09.2005 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

45 candidates barred by Electoral Complaints Commission from parliamentary elections on 18 September; 32 of them disqualified for maintaining links to armed militia groups; disqualifications do not include high-profile warlords accused of human rights abuses ("Afghanistan: Banning Of Candidates Complicates Parliamentary Ballots") [#36574],  [ID 100]

Document(s): Open document

13.09.2005 - Source: ReliefWeb

About 100 Afghans protested over disqualification of candidate from upcoming elections because of his links to armed faction ("Afghans protest over candidate's disqualification (Reuters)") [#36554],  [ID 101]

Document(s): Open document

12.09.2005 - Source: Integrated Regional Information Network

People in Kabul, Kandahar, Bamyan, Jowzjan, Herat and Paktia provinces concerned about local commanders, warlords and war criminals entering into nation’s new parliament due to be elected on 18 September ("Concern about keeping the gun out of Sunday's election") [#36483],  [ID 102]

Document(s): Open document

12.09.2005 - Source: BBC News

21 candidates standing in 18 September parliamentary elections disqualified for having links to armed groups ("Afghan poll ban for militia links") [#36459],  [ID 103]

Document(s): Open document

12.09.2005 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Interview with Human Rights Watch researcher on candidate disqualifications and other election issues; Electoral Complaints Commission disqualified 28 more candidates from competing in national and provincial elections on 18 September ("Afghanistan: HRW Representative Cites Fear Of Warlords, Other Election Concerns") [#36468],  [ID 104]

Document(s): Open document

12.09.2005 - Source: Institute for War and Peace Reporting

Ghazni: Lack of security and opposition from family members are minor obstacles to some of female candidates standing for parliament ("Ghazni's Formidable Females") [#36463],  [ID 105]

Document(s): Open document

11.09.2005 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Candidates for 18 September parliamentary elections continue campaigning despite ongoing violence ("Afghanistan: Parliamentary Candidates Continue Campaigns Despite Violence") [#36429],  [ID 106]

Document(s): Open document

07.09.2005 - Source: BBC News

Nangarhar: Woman standing in this month's elections survived gun attack which left 3 people injured ("Afghan woman candidate attacked") [#36350],  [ID 107]

Document(s): Open document

06.09.2005 - Source: Integrated Regional Information Network

Repatriation operation for Afghan refugees from Pakistan suspended until after Afghanistan's parliamentary election ("UNHCR suspends repatriation operation ahead of Afghan election") [#36290],  [ID 108]

Document(s): Open document

06.09.2005 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Zabul: US-led coalition forces and Afghan government troops killed 12 suspected militants, who were allegedly preparing to stage attacks disrupting 18 September elections ("Afghan, U.S. Forces Kill 12 Suspected Militants") [#36276],  [ID 109]

Document(s): Open document

06.09.2005 - Source: BBC News

Up to 21 candidates in country's elections are to be disqualified for being militia commanders or having links to armed groups ("Afghan warlords to face poll ban") [#36242],  [ID 110]

Document(s): Open document

29.08.2005 - Source: Integrated Regional Information Network

Uruzgan province: Afghan parliamentary candidate killed in Tarin Kot district; at least 3 other candidates and 4 election workers killed in different attacks since election preparations started in spring ("Focus on security prior to election") [#35997],  [ID 111]

Document(s): Open document

24.08.2005 - Source: Integrated Regional Information Network

Some candidates of country’s upcoming parliamentary elections are still linked with armed groups and holding stocks of weapons, according to report by UNAMA; escalation of violence against candidates reported in eastern, southeastern and southern parts of country ("Many candidates still linked to armed groups - report") [#35791],  [ID 112]

Document(s): Open document

22.08.2005 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Security situation worsening in prelude of 18 September parliamentary elections ("Afghanistan: Violence Spiraling As Elections Near") [#35703],  [ID 113]

Document(s): Open document

17.08.2005 - Source: Human Rights Watch

Report focused on political rights of Afghan women, obstacles for women participation after Taliban and barriers to women’s participation in September 2005 elections ("Campaigning against Fear: Women’s Participation in Afghanistan’s 2005 Elections") [#35575],  [ID 114]

Document(s): Open document