Kenneth Katzman

Afghanistan: Politics, Elections, and Government Performance Kenneth Katzman

The capacity, transparency, and legitimacy of Afghan governance are considered crucial to Afghan stability as U. S.-led NATO forces turn over the security mission to Afghan leadership. The size and capability of the Afghan governing structure has increased significantly since the Taliban regime fell in late 2001, but the government remains weak and rife with corruption. The government has struggled to widen its writ, even though substantial powers are concentrated in the elected presidency through powers of appointment at all levels. President Hamid Karzai has served as president since late 2001; he is constitutionally term-limited and will leave office after presidential and provincial elections scheduled for April 5, 2014. Several major figures?some close to Karzai and others opposed?have registered to run for president; many of their slates include faction leaders long accused of human rights abuses. Some observers are concerned that Karzai might try to use state machinery to favor a particular candidate, and he appears to have tilted toward his longtime confidant and former Foreign Minister, Zalmay Rasoul. If a run-off is needed, it is possible that the new president would not take office until some time in July 2014. Fraud in two successive elections (for president in 2009 and parliament in 2010) was extensively documented, but Afghan officials, civil society organizations, and key donor countries have taken substantial steps to limit the potential for systemic manipulation and fraud in the upcoming vote.