Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09KABUL1124
2009-05-03 16:05:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kabul
Cable title:
CHANGES TO VICE PRESIDENTIAL REQUIREMENTS
how-toVZCZCXRO5054 PP RUEHDBU RUEHPW DE RUEHBUL #1124 1231605 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 031605Z MAY 09 FM AMEMBASSY KABUL TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8719 INFO RUCNAFG/AFGHANISTAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L KABUL 001124
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/02/2019
TAGS: KDEM PGOV AF
SUBJECT: CHANGES TO VICE PRESIDENTIAL REQUIREMENTS
REF: A. KABUL 307
B. KABUL 1094
Classified By: Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Alan Yu for
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L KABUL 001124
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/02/2019
TAGS: KDEM PGOV AF
SUBJECT: CHANGES TO VICE PRESIDENTIAL REQUIREMENTS
REF: A. KABUL 307
B. KABUL 1094
Classified By: Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Alan Yu for
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (SBU) On May 3, the Independent Election Commission
informed donor nation
representatives and international stakeholders of a change to
IEC regulations on vice-presidential candidates. At a May 2
meeting, IEC Commissioners decided against extending the
candidate registration period, due to close May 8,
determining that it would disrupt the already tight electoral
timeline (ref A). The most important factor was the
compression of the time available for candidate vetting and
procuring ballots.
2. (C) Instead of an extension, the IEC chose to provide
candidates a greater degree of flexibility with
vice-presidential candidates. A presidential candidate can
now change his/her slate at any point prior to the election
if a vice-presidential candidate resigns or is killed. In
either situation, the presidential candidate would have the
opportunity to select a replacement candidate. (The new
addition would be subjected to vetting to ensure compliance
with the electoral law.) Such a change would not impact
ballots, as only the presidential candidates' names,
photographs and representational symbols will appear on
ballots. Previously, IEC regulations prevented presidential
candidates from changing their vice-presidential nominees
once they register their slates with the IEC (ref B). We
think this is the IEC's best possible approach, given
Karzai's likely choice of vice-presidential candidate and
scheduled May 4 travel to the United States.
RICCIARDONE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/02/2019
TAGS: KDEM PGOV AF
SUBJECT: CHANGES TO VICE PRESIDENTIAL REQUIREMENTS
REF: A. KABUL 307
B. KABUL 1094
Classified By: Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Alan Yu for
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (SBU) On May 3, the Independent Election Commission
informed donor nation
representatives and international stakeholders of a change to
IEC regulations on vice-presidential candidates. At a May 2
meeting, IEC Commissioners decided against extending the
candidate registration period, due to close May 8,
determining that it would disrupt the already tight electoral
timeline (ref A). The most important factor was the
compression of the time available for candidate vetting and
procuring ballots.
2. (C) Instead of an extension, the IEC chose to provide
candidates a greater degree of flexibility with
vice-presidential candidates. A presidential candidate can
now change his/her slate at any point prior to the election
if a vice-presidential candidate resigns or is killed. In
either situation, the presidential candidate would have the
opportunity to select a replacement candidate. (The new
addition would be subjected to vetting to ensure compliance
with the electoral law.) Such a change would not impact
ballots, as only the presidential candidates' names,
photographs and representational symbols will appear on
ballots. Previously, IEC regulations prevented presidential
candidates from changing their vice-presidential nominees
once they register their slates with the IEC (ref B). We
think this is the IEC's best possible approach, given
Karzai's likely choice of vice-presidential candidate and
scheduled May 4 travel to the United States.
RICCIARDONE