Afghani President Hamid Karzai looks set for re-election, despite all signs pointing to a highly fraudulent election. But the US has a moral imperative to stick by Afgahnistan — and its leader, says Tim McGirk.
Hamid Karzai
Afghan election stinks of fraud
Afghanistan’s election reeks of corruption, fraud and a tainted democracy, says William Maley.
Karzai on verge of victory
Hamid Karzai has passed the 50% threshold necessary to avoid a re-run in Afghanistan’s elections, and looks poised to be re-elected as President, despite widespread allegations of fraud.
Afghanistan’s fake election
Election officials in Afghanistan allege President Hamid Karzai created hundreds of fake polling booths during the recent election, recording hundreds of thousands of fraudulent ballots to re-elect the leader.
Time for Karzai to bow out
Even if Hamid Karzai is declared the winner of the Afghanistan election, his reputation is so far beyond repair, he must step down, says Amin Saikal. It is the only chance the country has at achieving stability and reconstruction.
Time for Karzai to step up the war on fraud
Allegations of fraud in the Afghanistan election mount. 23,900 forged votes. 2,187 complaints of fraud. President Hamid Karzai must sort this out or get dumped, says Malcolm Rifkind. He needs the West more than they need him.
US complains to Karzai of Afghan election fraud
The Afghanistan election is still undecided, with news that computer software has delayed results and the US special envoy to Afghanistan having an ‘explosive’ meeting with Afghan President Hamid Karzai about fraud and ballot stuffing in the election.
Voting for Afghanistan. Again and again and again
The Election Complaints Commission has already received 1157 allegations of irregularities in Afghanistan. And the allegations are not just coming from disgruntled candidates.
Crikey wrap: Afghans head to the polls
Afghanis headed to the polls on Thursday amidst fears of violent attacks from Islamist Taliban forces, writes Crikey intern Emily Finlay.
Taliban affects Afghan elections
Voter turnout for the Afghanistan election may have been as low as 10% in regional areas and 26 people were killed in Taliban attacks, but officials were satisfied with the turnout and have deemed the election a success.
What donkeys? Afghanistan elections get interactive
The Guardian have created a snazzy interactive map about the upcoming Afghanistan elections, showing region population breakdowns, who voted for Karzai in ‘04 and the top presidential contenders.
Too much democracy, too soon?
Hamid Karzai may be corrupt and incompetent, says Joe Klein, but in a country still so politically volatile due to intimidation from the Taliban, his ability to unite Tajiks and Pashtuns may provide some much needed stability.
Afghan War update: civilian assassinations, warlords and napalm-like substances
Just when you think the war in Afghanistan can’t become any more obscene, it suddenly does.
Political snippets: Afghan anti-women law update
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay has described a new law signed by Afghanistan’s President Karzai earlier this month “extraordinary, reprehensible and reminiscent of the decrees made by the Taliban regime in Afghanistan in the 1990s.”
Guy Rundle: Are allied troops dying for an Afghan man’s right to rape his wife?
We have come to the end-point of the Afghan adventure. After eight years it is over, writes Guy Rundle.
Olympics over, let’s consider the mess we’re making in Afghanistan
Regardless of having such powerful allies as the US and UK Karzai’s Kabul cabinet seems to hold little sway outside the capital, writes Irfan Yusuf.
Tragedy in Afghanistan: just what do we hope to achieve?
The tragic death of an Australian soldier brings a forgotten conflict back into our newspapers, writes Jeff Sparrow.
