A second round won't solve all of Afghanistan's election problems
James Forsyth 10:09pm
It is being hailed as a diplomatic triumph that Hamid Karzai has agreed to a run-off in Afghanistan’s presidential election. (Who is getting the credit for Karzai relenting is, as Daniel notes, fascinating). But as Dexter Filkins points out in The New York Times, the second round of the Afghan election could be as marred by fraud as the first one. It is hardly reassuring that the chairman of the supposedly independent election commission is already saying that “Karzai is going to win.” The question is how much Karzai is prepared to rein the levels of fraud in to try and maintain Western support.
It has long been suggested that the solution to the legitimacy problem of the Afghan government is a post-election government of national unity. But the comments of his opponent Dr. Abdullah Abdullah on CNN today are hardly hopeful for this scenario.
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Peter From Maidstone
October 25th, 2009 10:20pm Report this commentI'm not sure how important I think Karzai is to me? Certainly not more important than what Neather has revealed. But still no statement from the Spectator about that!
In2minds
October 25th, 2009 11:43pm Report this commentA thoroughly corrupt man gets a second chance to steal another election and this is hailed as a “diplomatic triumph”, it's joke, yeah?
Michael Booth
October 26th, 2009 8:19am Report this commentHave to agree with Peter from Maidstone - where is the Andrew Neather thread?
Peter From Maidstone
October 26th, 2009 9:51am Report this commentIt's Monday morning. Still nothing on Neather.
What is happening at the Spectator.
Nothing is surely more important than comment and information on this issue.
Chuck Unsworth
October 26th, 2009 9:58am Report this commentWell I doubt that such an 'election' 'solve' anything. Let's not kid ourselves. This is not democracy as we know it.
Edward
October 26th, 2009 11:05am Report this commentPlease focus on the Andrew Neather story. That is probably 10x more shocking and disgusting than the recent MP expenses scandal yet only the Mail has mentioned it.
I really don't care about anything else at the moment.
Holly ......
October 26th, 2009 6:50pm Report this commentOH ECK A FA GOT!!!
GOD BLESS THE US OF A.
yeah right!!!
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