IEC: A CREDIBLE ELECTION IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KABUL 001675

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KDEM PGOV AF
SUBJECT: IEC: A CREDIBLE ELECTION IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY


1. Summary: On June 22, Ambassador Eikenberry visited the
Independent Election Commission (IEC),toured operational
elements and after a private meeting, participated in a joint
press conference with IEC Chairman Dr. Azizullah Lodin. IEC
workers and officials echoed security concerns, but the
strongest message was the desire of the Afghan people for
their democracy to succeed. The Ambassador took advantage of
a question about his meetings with candidates to challenge
the media to encourage an issues based debate to help voters
to decide how to cast their ballots in this milestone
election. End Summary.


--------------
Afghans Working for an Afghan Election
--------------


2. The Ambassador's first stop at the IEC was the massive
data entry center (DEC). Filled with computers, scanners,
workers and boxes of voter registration (VR) material
retrieved from the provinces, the data center is a hub of
activity. Chief Electoral Officer Dr. Najafi noted that the
IEC received over 10,000 applications for the 300 data entry
jobs. The DEC is currently counting, reviewing and scanning
VR materials into the IEC's voter registration database.
Many workers explained their specific jobs to the Ambassador
- from reviewing biometric information to checking the forms
against the scanned information - and expressed their pride
at contributing to a key milestone in their nation's
democratic process. The DEC explained that the data entry
process will help identify multiple registrations using a
single set of biometrics, allowing the IEC to reduce
duplicate registrations.

--------------
Concerns for Security
--------------


3. The Operations Center (OC),the central node that
coordinates the efforts of the 34 field offices, was the next
stop. The regional officers, supported by UN technical
advisors, work in the map-filled OC, each with responsibility
for two provinces. They act as liaisons between the
provincial election officials (PEOs) and headquarters,
sending instructions, receiving information and disseminating
and alerting both sides to operational problems and concerns
and working on resolutions. As a group, the regional
officers agreed that security poses the great challenge for
election day. At the Public Outreach center, Najafi
highlighted the importance of getting the message out to the
electorate, noting that the Afghan people want change and
need to understand that the election is the way to for that
to occur.


4. In their meeting, the Ambassador complimented IEC
Chairman Dr. Lodin on the IEC's professionalism,
high-standards and motivation, but pointed out that the
challenge is in implementation of the sophisticated voting
process. He noted that while soldiers may win the war, it is
the IEC that must lead in winning the peace and commended the
IEC on leading the first Afghan-run election. Lodin asserted
that the Afghan people, having experienced democracy, will
want more, but reiterated that lack of security remains the
biggest threat to the elections.

--------------
Sending a Message of Hope
--------------


5. The Ambassador and Dr. Lodin ended the event with a joint
press conference. The Ambassador emphasized the critical
role of the IEC in providing a secure, inclusive and credible
election to the Afghan people. He acknowledged that security
is an issue and stated that Afghan and NATO coalition forces
will try to ensure security on election day. He applauded
Afghans for taking the lead in the election, noting that in
2005, the election was run by the international community
that now only plays a supporting role. Dr. Lodin
acknowledged the critical role of the IEC, noting that it
bears responsibility to ensure a credible and inclusive
election for the Afghan people.


6. In response to a question about voting in districts not
under Afghan National Security Force control, Lodin
referenced the Electoral Law, noting that in certain
circumstances, the IEC has the authority to delay elections
if the security situation required. NOTE: This comment was
picked up by the Afghan media and misreported as a statement
that elections would be delayed in certain districts. At a
subsequent meeting, Lodin clarified that he has no intention
of recommending a delay to any part of the election but was
only noting the authority of the electoral law to describe
the range of options. END NOTE. The Ambassador closed by

KABUL 00001675 002 OF 002


encouraging the media to support a vigorous policy debate
among candidates so that the people of Afghanistan could
decide on a way forward.


EIKENBERRY