Elections in Afghanistan

The former electoral system in Afghanistan provided for a president elected by an absolute majority. If no candidate received more than 50 percent, a runoff followed between the two leading candidates. The term of office lasted five years and was limited to a maximum of two terms. The lower house (Wolesi Jirga) had 250 seats, and the upper house (Meshrano Jirga) had 102 seats. At the 2018 parliamentary election, a system with only one vote per voter applied, although several seats were to be filled. The last formally documented elections were the parliamentary election for the lower house on 20 October 2018 and the presidential election on 28 September 2019. Provincial and district elections, as well as the delayed parliamentary election in Ghazni, did not take place because of insufficient time or budget. For earlier elections, Afghan citizens had to be at least 18 years old, possess a valid identity document (Tazkira) as proof of identity, retain their civil rights, and register on an electoral roll. Registration took place at a centre and was confirmed by a sticker on the identity document. Presidential candidates had to be Afghan citizens of Muslim faith and at least 40 years old, be descended from Afghan parents, hold no other nationality, and not fall under certain criminal-law exclusions. Candidacy was independent and required prescribed support from voters. Formerly, the Independent Election Commission (IEC) organized elections. The Election Complaints Commission (ECC) examined complaints. No documented current replacement for these bodies exists. There is no documented current electoral calendar, procedure for voter registration or candidacy, or official route for campaigning, voting, counting, or challenging election results. At earlier elections, there were separate polling stations for women and men, with no more than 400 registered voters per polling station. People with disabilities could be assisted by a trusted person or the polling-station chair. Biometric identity verification and encrypted transmission of results were intended to secure the election. Voting from abroad was legally provided for, but was not available in 2019 because of financial and logistical constraints. The security situation significantly affected the earlier electoral process. Around 430 particularly vulnerable polling stations remained closed in 2019. On election day, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) recorded 277 civilian casualties, including 28 deaths and 249 injuries. Transporting election materials to remote areas sometimes took several days. Formerly, counting began immediately after polling stations closed. Forms were sent through provincial centres to the national counting centre of the commission in Kabul. Observers could obtain access to voting, counting, results, and recounts. Complaints had to be filed within 48 hours. The competent regional office decided within no more than 15 working days; within a further 15 working days, a complaint could be submitted centrally. Final results could be announced only after these reviews were completed. A required runoff was to take place within two weeks. At present, the de facto authorities determine national and regional officeholders through appointments and decrees. Assemblies of religious scholars or tribal elders and consultative councils (Schuras) may enable political consultation, but they do not replace an election. They do not provide equal voting rights, regular voting with a public mandate, or a formally equivalent procedure for reviewing results. No currently enforceable right to participate in elections is documented; women and political opponents face significant restrictions under the current de facto system. Accordingly, no official fees, deadlines, or eligibility requirements are stated for current elections in Afghanistan.