2014 Afghan presidential election

none 2014 Afghan presidential election 2013 Afghanistan Presidential no 2009 Afghan presidential election 2009 2019 Afghan presidential election 2019 5 April 2014 (first round)14 June 2014 (second round) 150x150px Ashraf Ghani Abdul Rashid DostumSarwar Danish Independent (politician) 3,935,567 55.27% 150x150px Abdullah Abdullah Mohammad KhanMohammad Mohaqiq National Coalition of Afghanistan 3,185,018 44.73% 2014 Afghanistan presidential election.svg 280px Results by province Ghani #BDBDBD 50–60%#969696 60–70%#737373 70–80%#555555 80–90%#2e2e2e 90-100% Abdullah #8db2e2 50–60%#6798d7 60–70%#417ecd 70–80%#3363a2 80–90%#244979 90-100% President Hamid Karzai Independent (politician) Ashraf Ghani Independent (politician) Presidential elections were held in Afghanistan on 5 April 2014, with a second round held on 14 June. Incumbent President Hamid Karzai was not eligible to run due to term limits. The registration period for presidential nominations was open from 16 September 2013 until 6 October 2013.http://www.khaama.com/dr-zalmai-rasoul-nominated-for-2014-presidential-elections-1940 Dr. Zalmai Rasoul nominated for 2014 presidential elections 6 October 2013 2014-02-03 A total of 27 candidates were confirmed to be running for office.Bailey Cahall http://afpak.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2013/10/07/27_individuals_submit_nomination_papers_for_afghanistans_2014_presidential_election 27 candidates enter race for Afghanistan's 2014 presidential election Foreign Policy 7 October 2013 2014-02-03 https://web.archive.org/web/20131010042942/http://afpak.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2013/10/07/27_individuals_submit_nomination_papers_for_afghanistans_2014_presidential_election 2013-10-10 However, on 22 October Afghanistan's Independent Election Commission disqualified 16 of the candidates, leaving only 11 in the race.Ali M Latifi http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2013/10/sixteen-afghan-election-hopefuls-disqualified-2013102213563537306.html Sixteen Afghan election hopefuls disqualified Al Jazeera 22 October 2013 2014-02-03 By April 2014, three candidates gave up the race and decided to support some of the eight remaining candidates. Opinion polls showed Abdullah Abdullah and Ashraf Ghani as the front-runnershttps://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/29/world/asia/polling-comes-to-afghanistan-suggesting-limit-to-sway-of-president-karzai.html Polling Comes to Afghanistan, Suggesting Limit to Sway of President Karzai The New York Times 28 December 2013 2014-02-07 Matthew Rosenberg and results of the first round of the election had Abdullah in the lead and Ghani behind him. The second set of results came after the run-off on 14 June, two months after the first round. Preliminary results were expected on 2 July and the final result on 22 July. However, widespread accusations of fraud delayed these results.https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/afghan-official-election-results-delayed-24376862 International News - World News - ABC News ABC News ABC News https://web.archive.org/web/20140701201759/https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/afghan-official-election-results-delayed-24376862 2014-07-01 As a result, John Kerry, then United States Secretary of State, mediated the negotiations between the two final candidates, Ghani and Abdullah.https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/27/john-kerry-afghanistan-abdullah-ghani-power-money John Kerry praises Abdullah and Ghani as Afghanistan's struggles continue 27 September 2014 After a series of negotiations and talks between Ghani, Abdullah and Kerry, the two candidates agreed to sign an Agreement to form a National Unity Government,https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-asia-28712184/afghan-presidential-rivals-sign-government-unity-deal National unity deal for Afghan rivals with both sharing power. As a result of the agreement, a separate position was created for Abdullah, being Chief Executive.https://www.crisisgroup.org/asia/south-asia/afghanistan/285-afghanistan-future-national-unity-government Afghanistan: The Future of the National Unity Government 10 April 2017 The National Unity Government's term ended with the 2019 Afghan presidential election.https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/12/afghan-presidential-elections-postponed-july-20-official-181230185336213.html Afghan presidential elections postponed until July 20: Official Afghanistan News al Jazeera The election was the first and only time in Afghanistan's history that power was transferred through democratic means.Huge security as Afghan presidential election looms https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-26880022 BBC April 4, 2014Afghanistan votes in historic presidential election https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-26893972 BBC 5 April 2014Shalizi and Harooni Hamid and Mirwais Landmark Afghanistan Presidential Election Held Under Shadow of Violence https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/04/landmark-afghan-election-_n_5095143.html Huffington Post April 4, 2014Afghanistan's Future: Who's Who in Pivotal Presidential Election https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/afghanistans-future-whos-who-pivotal-presidential-election-n24756 NBC News Procedure On 17 July 2013, the Parliament of Afghanistan passed a pair of election laws considered crucial to holding the election on time; President Karzai signed one and was expected to sign the other quickly. The first law to be signed laid out the composition and rules for Afghanistan's election commission and a separate commission to adjudicate complaints about voter fraud and other irregularities. The other one governed how the vote will be held.Rosenburg Matthew With New Law, Afghanistan Moves Closer to an Election https://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/18/world/asia/with-new-law-afghanistan-moves-closer-to-an-election.html?ref=global-home 2014-02-03 The New York Times 17 July 2013 Pakistan sealed its border with Afghanistan during the electoral period in order to reduce the chances of cross-border attacks.http://tribune.com.pk/story/691629/pakistan-seals-borders-for-afghan-polls/ Pakistan seals borders for Afghan polls – The Express Tribune tribune.com.pk 2014-04-06 There have been reports of polling sites running out of ballot papers due to a high turnout.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-26903931 Afghanistan election: Millions vote in presidential poll 5 April 2014 2014-04-05 BBC News Candidates A total of 27 candidates were confirmed to have submitted their nominations by Afghanistan's Independent Election Commission on 6 October 2013, the closing day of the nomination period.http://tolonews.com/en/afghanistan/12193-complete-list-of-registered-presidential-tickets Complete List of Registered Presidential Tickets Tolo News 7 October 2013 2014-02-03 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20131020130115/http://tolonews.com/en/afghanistan/12193-complete-list-of-registered-presidential-tickets 20 October 2013 Ashraf Ghani, former Minister of Financehttps://www.foxnews.com/world/afghan-ex-finance-minister-ghani-to-run-for-president/ Afghan ex-finance minister Ghani to run for president Fox News 30 September 2013 2014-02-03 Dil Agha KohdamaniSaleha Sadat http://www.tolonews.com/en/afghanistan/12179-five-new-candidates-register-for-presidential-elections Five New Candidates Register for Presidential Elections Tolo News 5 October 2013 2014-02-03 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20131012045513/http://www.tolonews.com/en/afghanistan/12179-five-new-candidates-register-for-presidential-elections 12 October 2013 Ishaq Gailani Hashmat Ghani AhmadzaiAli M. Latifi http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2013/10/hashmat-ghani-quiet-storm-afghan-vote-201310592437502887.html Hashmat Ghani: Quiet storm of the Afghan vote Al Jazeera 5 October 2013 2014-02-03 Qutbuddin Hilal Qayum Karzai, brother of current President Hamid Karzai, businessman and politician Fazil Karim NajmiSaleha Sadat http://www.tolonews.com/en/election-2014/12157-sayyaf-files-nomination-for-presidency Sayyaf Files Nomination for Presidency Tolo News 3 October 2013 2014-02-03 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20131012054438/http://www.tolonews.com/en/election-2014/12157-sayyaf-files-nomination-for-presidency 12 October 2013 Zalmai Rassoul, former Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdul Rasul Sayyaf Bismillah Sher, leader of the Wefaq Millie Party Abdul Rahim Wardak, former Minister of Defense Abdullah Abdullah, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, leader of National Coalition of Afghanistan, presidential candidate in 2009Jennifer Glasse http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2013/09/afghan-deja-vu-abdullah-runs-for-president-201392913214569408.html Afghan deja vu: Abdullah to run for president Al Jazeera 1 October 2013 2014-02-03 However, on 22 October Afghanistan's Independent Election Commission disqualified 16 of the candidates, leaving only 11 in the race. The different candidates were disqualified for a number of reasons, among them were education levels, documentation and the number of required signatures. The disqualified candidates had 20 days to appeal the decision and the Independent Election Commission was due to present the final list of confirmed candidates on 19 November 2013. On 25 November 2013, the Independent Election Commission announced the ordering of the candidate names for the election ballot as follows:Majidy Sayed Tariq Presidential Names Ordered for Ballot http://www.tolonews.com/en/election-2014/12855-presidential-names-ordered-for-ballot Tolo News 2013-11-26 3 February 2014 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20131202234203/http://www.tolonews.com/en/election-2014/12855-presidential-names-ordered-for-ballot 2 December 2013 Candidate Running mate Coalition Occupation Political spectrumFischer75pxAbdullah AbdullahNational Coalition Mohammad KhanHezbi Islami Mohammad MohaqiqHizb-e Wahdat Islami Mardum-e Afghanistan "National Coalition of Afghanistan"(National Front, Jamiat-e Islami, NUPA) Supported by(Hezbi Islami, Hizb-e Wahdat Islami Mardum-e Afghanistan, Yunus Qanuni, Atta Muhammad Nurhttps://www.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303442004579120933439463924?mg=reno64-wsj&url=http%3A%2F%2Fonline.wsj.com%2Farticle%2FSB10001424052702303442004579120933439463924.html Afghan Election Frontrunners - WSJ.com online.wsj.com 2014-04-06 8 October 2013) Politician. Former Foreign Minister. Islamic democracy, ReformFischer75pxAshraf GhaniIndependent Abdul Rashid DostumNational Islamic Movement Sarwar DanishHizb-e Wahdat Islami Afghanistan NoneSupported by (National Solidarity Party of Afghanistan, Afghan Mellat, National Islamic Front, Sayed Mansoor Naderi, Milli Nijat Party),http://www.elections.pajhwok.com/en/2014/02/02/3-major-groups-pledge-support-ghani 3 major groups pledge support to Ghani Pajhwok Election site elections.pajhwok.com 2014-04-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20140409221628/http://www.elections.pajhwok.com/en/2014/02/02/3-major-groups-pledge-support-ghani 2014-04-09 deadhttp://www.khaama.com/syed-mansoor-naderi-supports-ashraf-ghani-in-presidential-elections-2782 Syed Mansoor Naderi supports Ashraf Ghani in presidential elections - Khaama Press (KP) Afghan News Agency khaama.com 2014-04-06) Politician. Former Finance Minister. ReformPro-BSAhttp://www.khaama.com/dr-ashraf-ghani-renews-commitment-to-sign-afghan-us-security-agreement-2945 Dr. Ashraf Ghani renews commitment to sign Afghan-US security agreement - Khaama Press (KP) Afghan News Agency khaama.com 2014-04-06Fischer75pxZalmai RassoulIndependent Ahmad Zia MassoudJamiat-e Islami Habiba SarobiTruth and Justice NoneSupported by(Qayum Karzai, Abdul Rahim Wardak, Sardar Mohammad Nadir Naeem, Hezb-e-Islami Shura Alliance,http://www.tolonews.com/en/election-2014/14086-hezb-e-islami-shura-alliance-to-support-rassoul Hezb-e-Islami Shura Alliance to Support Rassoul tolonews.com 2014-04-06 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20140313212506/http://www.tolonews.com/en/election-2014/14086-hezb-e-islami-shura-alliance-to-support-rassoul 2014-03-13 Hezbi Islami of Waheedullah Sabaoonhttp://ariananews.af/election2014/abdul-rahim-wardak-announces-coalition-with-zulmai-rassoul/ Abdul Rahim Wardak announces coalition with Zulmai Rassoul - Ariana News ariananews.af 2014-06-28 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20140715120150/http://ariananews.af/election2014/abdul-rahim-wardak-announces-coalition-with-zulmai-rassoul/ 2014-07-15 ) Politician. Former Foreign Minister. CentrismFischerAbdul Rasul SayyafIslamic Dawa Mohammad Ismail KhanJamiat-e Islami Abdul Wahab Urfan ErfanIndependent — Politician. Wahhabi IslamismFischer75pxGul Agha SherzaiIndependent Sayed Hussain Alimi BalkhiIndependent Mohammad Hashim ZareIndependent — Politician. Former Governor of Nangarhar.Fischer75pxQutbuddin HilalIndependent Enayatullah EnayatIndependent Mohammad Ali NabizadaIndependent NoneSupported by(Hezb-e Islami Gulbuddinhttp://www.tolonews.com/en/afghanistan/13874-hezb-e-islami-endorses-helal-in-presidential-election Hezb-e-Islami Endorses Helal in Presidential Election tolonews.com 2014-04-06 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20140910053145/http://www.tolonews.com/en/afghanistan/13874-hezb-e-islami-endorses-helal-in-presidential-election 2014-09-10 ) Politician. Former Deputy Prime Minister. Former member of Hezbi Islami. Conservative IslamismFischerMohammad Daud SultanzoyIndependent Ahmad SaeediIndependent Kazima MohaqiqIndependent — Politician.Fischer75pxHidayat Amin ArsalaIndependent Gen. KhudaidadIndependent Safia SeddiqiIndependent — Politician, Economist, Former Finance and Foreign Minister.Withdrawn CandidatesFischerQayum KarzaiIndependent Wahidullah ShahraniIndependent Ibrahim QasmiIndependent Withdrew and supported Rassoul Politician & Businessman. ReformPro-Westernhttps://www.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303442004579123652827839462 Q&A With Afghan Presidential Candidate Qayum Karzai - WSJ.com online.wsj.com 2014-04-06 Nathan Hodge 8 October 2013Fischer75pxAbdul Rahim WardakIndependent Shah Abdul Ahad AfzaliIndependent Sayed Hussein AnwariIslamic Movement Withdrew and supported Rassoul Politician. Former Minister of Defence.FischerSardar Mohammad Nadir NaeemIndependent Taj Mohammad AkbarIndependent Azizullah PuyaIndependent Withdrew and supported Rassoulhttp://www.tolonews.com/elections2014/nadir-naeem-withdraws-favor-zalmai-rassoul Nadir Naeem Withdraws in Favor of Zalmai Rassoul .:: Elections 2014 ::. tolonews.com 2014-06-28 https://web.archive.org/web/20140409085111/http://www.tolonews.com/elections2014/nadir-naeem-withdraws-favor-zalmai-rassoul 2014-04-09 dead Secretary to former King of Afghanistan. Declined to run Sarwar AhmedzaiSaboory Hamid M. 3 June 2013 Elections 2014: Afghan-style Foreign Policy http://afpak.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2013/06/03/elections_2014_afghan_style 2014-02-03 https://web.archive.org/web/20140222073004/http://afpak.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2013/06/03/elections_2014_afghan_style 2014-02-22 Mohammad Hanif Atmar Ali Ahmad Jalali Zalmay Khalilzad Fawzia Koofihttp://www.cnn.com/2012/06/17/world/fawzia-koofi-afghanistan-president In Afghanistan, a mother bravely campaigns for president Ashley Fantz CNN 19 June 2012 Mohammad Mohaqiq Atta Muhammad Nur Mohammad Yunos Qanuni Ghulam Farooq Wardakhttps://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2012/12/13/afghan-election/1745877/ Afghan politicians seek steps now for fair election 14 December 2012 USA Today 2014-02-03 Kabul Carmen Gentile Mirwais Yasini Campaign On 6 March 2014 Qayum Karzai ended his bid for the presidency, and instead announced his support for Zalmai Rassoul. Due to the lateness of his announcement Karzai's name still appeared on the ballot paper; however, Karzai told supporters to vote for Rassoul instead. Two other candidates – Sardar Mohammad Nadir Naeem and Abdul Rahim Wardak – did the same thing to create a strong Pashtun ticket.https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/06/afghan-president-brother-karzai-withdraws-election#start-of-comments Afghan president's brother withdraws from election race The Guardian March 6, 2014 Debates Afghanistan's TOLOnews hosted several debates between the presidential candidates. First debate The first debate took place on 4 February 2014 and included five candidates: Abdullah Abdullah, Qayoum Karzai, Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai, Zalmai Rassoul, and Abdul Rahmi Wardak. The debate focused on the issues of security, the economy, and corruption.http://www.tolonews.com/en/afghanistan/13732-five-presidential-candidates-take-part-in-first-tv-debate Five Presidential Candidates Take Part in First TV Debate TOLOnews 2014-04-06 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20140326154318/http://www.tolonews.com/en/afghanistan/13732-five-presidential-candidates-take-part-in-first-tv-debate 2014-03-26 http://www.tolonews.com/en/afghanistan/13739-candidates-tv-debate-another-important-move-toward-democracy Historic Debate Put Policy First, Showed Growth in Afghan Democracy TOLOnews 2014-04-06 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20140407080938/http://www.tolonews.com/en/afghanistan/13739-candidates-tv-debate-another-important-move-toward-democracy 2014-04-07 Second debate The second debate took place on 18 February 2014 and included four candidates: Daoud Sultanzoy, Mohammad Nader Naeem, Hedayat Amin Arsala, and Qotbuddin Helal. As with the first debate, the second debate focused on the issues of security, the economy, and corruption. On the issue of security Arsala emphasised the need for better cooperation between the various Afghan security agencies. Sultanzoy focused on the issue of a lack of motivation and high desertions in the Afghan security forces. Naeem emphasised the need to combat insecurity by providing better services. On the issue of peace negotiations with the Taliban Naeem argued that certain parts of the Taliban want peace and could be compromised with. Sultanzoy argued that the Taliban was a tool of foreign intelligence agencies, and that in order to marginalize the Taliban the Afghan people needed to unite behind a unifying goal. Hilal argued that the Taliban was a diverse group, with certain members being driven by poverty, whilst others were "agents of intelligence agencies." Hilal argued that the former parts could and should be negotiated with. Arsala argued that if the Taliban embraced politics, instead of violence, that they could be given a "chair in the cabinet." Sultanzoy also argued that corruption was resulting in poverty, and that increases in pensions and salaries could be afforded through a reduction in corruption. Arsala also focused on the issue of corruption, arguing that "government administration overall must be reformed." Hilal advocated reducing corruption through a mixture of better policing and the digitizing of government records. Naeem argued that corruption was a major issue for the Afghan bureaucracy, and had increased over the past 12 years. He argued that as an issue it must be dealt with from the top down. Hilal also argued that whilst women should be educated and involved in society, this should be done "within the limits of Sharia." Naeem argued that Afghan constitution and Afghan democracy had been achieved in a way in line with Islam. Sultanzoy argued that Afghanistan had made great sacrifices for democracy, and that equal rights under the law must be ensured. Arsala advocated an "independent, developed and Muslim Afghanistan."http://www.tolonews.com/en/election-2014/13908-four-presidential-candidates-take-part-in-second-tv-debate Four Presidential Candidates Take Part in Second TV Debate TOLOnews 2014-04-06 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20140224043343/http://www.tolonews.com/en/election-2014/13908-four-presidential-candidates-take-part-in-second-tv-debate 2014-02-24 Third debate The third debate took place on 4 March 2014 and included three candidates: Abdullah Abdullah, Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai, and Zalmai Rassoul. The debate focused on foreign policy. On the issue of the Durand Line, both Rassoul and Abdullah argued that the Afghan government alone cannot decide on the issue of the Durand Line, but that instead policy must be set according to the will of the people. Ahmadzai however argued that the issue of the Durand Line cannot be discussed if the conditions are not right. All three candidates expressed their support for the Bilateral Security Agreement. On the subject of the zero-option, whereby the United States would fully pull out of Afghanistan, Rassoul argued that Afghanistan would still be in a position to accept international aid. Ahmadzai argued against the zero-option, stating that Afghan remained dangerous, but that Afghanistan would likely be stable by the end of the decade. Abdullah attacked Karzai's opposition to the zero-option, claiming that the danger of a zero-option had been caused by Karzai's "unbalanced and emotional decisions." All three candidates accused Pakistan of aiding the Taliban. Abdullah claimed that Pakistan used the Taliban "as a tool for foreign policy." Rassoul argued that when discussing the issue a distinction had to be made between the Pakistani government and the Pakistani people, and that the Pakistani people "have been friends to the people of Afghanistan." Ahmadzai argued that extremism posed a threat to both countries, but that Afghan sovereignty had to be maintained, and that the Afghan government had to prevent Pakistan from destabilizing Afghanistan through proxies.http://www.tolonews.com/en/election-2014/14081-afghan-presidential-candidates-debate-foreign-policy Presidential Candidates Debate Foreign Policy TOLOnews 2014-04-06 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20140313212459/http://www.tolonews.com/en/election-2014/14081-afghan-presidential-candidates-debate-foreign-policy 2014-03-13 Opinion polls The 2014 election was the first election in Afghanistan to make use of opinion polling. A December 2013 poll by Glevum was the first of nine planned polls funded by the United States. The polls were to be conducted by three different companies, with the United States paying for them due to Afghan institutions lacking the ability and funding to conduct the polling themselves. Rosenberg Matthew 28 December 2013 Polling Comes to Afghanistan, Suggesting Limit to Sway of President Karzai https://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/29/world/asia/polling-comes-to-afghanistan-suggesting-limit-to-sway-of-president-karzai.html?pagewanted=1&_r=0 The New York Times Kabul Following the publication of a subsequent Democracy Institute poll some Afghan electoral authorities and candidate supporters alleged the polling had been biased. As response the United States cancelled funding for any further polling in order to avoid any perception of bias.31 January 2014 U.S. cancels funds for Afghan opinion polls ahead of election https://www.reuters.com/article/us-afghanistan-elections-idUSBREA0U0A320140131 Reuters Poll source Date(s) administered Sample size Abdullah AbdullahNational Coalition Mohammad Daud SultanzoyIndependent Abdul Rahim WardakIndependent Qayum KarzaiIndependent Ashraf GhaniIndependent Sardar Mohammad Nadir NaeemIndependent Zalmai RassoulIndependent Qutbuddin HilalIndependent Gul Agha SherzaiIndependent Abdul Rab Rasoul SayyafIslamic Dawa Hidayat Amin ArsalaIndependent None Lead Glevumhttp://glevumassociates.com/doc/GlevumAfghanistanPresidentialElection2014WaveOneSurveyFindings%20.pdf Glevum Afghanistan Presidential Election 2014 Wave One Survey Findings20 pdf 2014-04-08 December, 2013 2,148 25% 1% 5% 8% 29% 1% 6% 2% 4% 6% <0.5% 11% 4 Democracy Internationalhttp://www.tolonews.com/en/election-2014/13193-democracy- Abdullah Leads New Poll TOLOnews 2014-04-06 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20140713155435/http://www.tolonews.com/en/election-2014/13193-democracy- 2014-07-13 December, 2013 2,500 31% – – 13% 25% – – – - 10% – – 6 ATR Consulting / Tolo News http://www.tolonews.com/elections2014/new-survey-reveals-frontrunners-presidential-bid New Survey Reveals Frontrunners for Presidential Bid TOLOnews 2014-04-06 https://web.archive.org/web/20140223204643/http://www.tolonews.com/elections2014/new-survey-reveals-frontrunners-presidential-bid 2014-02-23 dead 11–21 December 2013 2,063 27% 0.4% – 4% 19% – – – – – 0.1% 7% 8 ATR Consulting / Tolo News http://www.tolonews.com/en/election-2014/12270-initial-afghan-election-polling-reveals-three-favorites Initial Election Polling Reveals Three Favorites TOLOnews 2014-04-06 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20140429010440/http://www.tolonews.com/en/election-2014/12270-initial-afghan-election-polling-reveals-three-favorites 2014-04-29 8–12 October 2013 1,300 21% – 0.8% 5.7% 13.6% – 0.9% – 1.1% 3.4% – 50% 7.4 2013 Election Results 20 Aug 2009 4,597,727 30.59% - – - 2.94% – – – – – 0.05% 2014 Election Results 5 April 2014 6,604,546 45.00% 0.46% – - 31.56% – 11.37% 2.75% 1.57% 7.04% 0.23% Conduct Security concerns thumb|Voters queuing up in front of a polling center in Kabul during the 2014 presidential election. On 7 April 2014, a roadside bomb was detonated in the Maywand District when a van drove over it, killing all 13 people on board. Some suspected the Taliban were responsible, though the group blamed international forces for the attack.https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/world/2014/04/07/roadside-bomb-kills-people-afghanistan/8y3JtRfgWLZqhBmzlZ4gBM/story.html Roadside bomb kills 15 people in Afghanistan Boston Globe 7 April 2014 2014-04-07 Khan, Mirwais The 2014 presidential elections is the first year Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) have taken the lead for such an event.https://www.marines.mil/Photos.aspx?igphoto=2000788756 Marines.mil - Photos marines.mil 2014-06-28 thumb|left|Voters queuing up in front of a polling center in western Herat province. On 6 June 2014, candidate Abdullah Abdullah narrowly survived an assassination attempt. In the attack, suicide bombers targeted his armored car, severely damaging the vehicle and killed three of his bodyguards as well as three bystanders. Abdullah escaped largely unscathed, strongly condemning the attack while commenting, "the best response to this conspiracy is to go to vote on election day." No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, though the Taliban has previously threatened to violently disrupt the electoral process.Graham-Harrison Emma Afghan presidential election candidate survives assassination attempt https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/06/afghan-presidential-election-candidate-survives-assassination-attempt-kabul 2014-06-07 the GuardianGiustozzi Antonio The Taliban and the 2014 Elections in Afghanistan 2014 United States Institute of Peace Washington, D.C. https://purl.fdlp.gov/GPO/gpo57919 31 May 2015 On July 1, 2014, Afghan security forces seized weapons, ammunitions and explosives and killed around 27 Taliban during operations in Kunar, Kunduz, Badakhshan, Balkh, Zabul and Helmand provinces.http://www.khaama.com/27-taliban-killed-21-others-injured-in-afghan-operations-6390 27 Taliban killed, 21 others injured in Afghan operations 1 July 2014 khaama.com The next day, a suicide bomber riding a bicycle targeted a vehicle of the Afghan National Army (ANA) at around 6.30 a.m. in which 14 people, including civilians were killed.http://ariananews.af/latest-news/many-reportedly-killed-wounded-in-kabul-blast/ Many Reportedly Killed, Wounded In Kabul Blast - Ariana News 2014-07-02 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20140714180938/http://ariananews.af/latest-news/many-reportedly-killed-wounded-in-kabul-blast/ 2014-07-14 The Afghan Intelligence – National Directorate of Security (NDS) Chief, Rahmatulllah Nabil accused Pakistan's ISI and Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of escalating clashes in the Helmand Province.http://www.khaama.com/irans-revolutionary-guard-and-pakistans-isi-behind-helmand-clashes-6332 Iran's Revolutionary Guard and Pakistan's ISI behind Helmand clashes 2 July 2014 khaama.com The Taliban is said to have gathered hundreds of fighters in a bid of overtaking this region, amidst the U.S. withdrawal, which will be completed by December 2014.https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/taliban-kills-dozens-attempts-to-retake-former-afghan-stronghold/2014/06/28/ddbd9132-1b60-41d2-af3e-4a76643abced_story.html The Washington Post Kevin Sieff Dozens killed as Taliban makes major bid for former Afghan stronghold of Helmand 28 June 2014 Allegations of fraud 2014 Afghanistan protests In July, certain allegations regarding fraudulent practices in the voting process emerged. The European Union sent 6 observers in Kabul, Balkh and Herat provinces. Thijs Berman, head of the EU election assessment team, called for an in-depth review of the electoral fraud claims and said that necessary steps would be taken to clean it.http://www.khaama.com/eu-observers-wants-review-of-votes-in-6000-polling-stations-6343 EU observers wants review of votes in 6000 polling stations 3 July 2014 khaama.com Abudullah accused President Hamid Karzai of conspiring in the rigging of the elections.http://www.aawsat.net/2014/07/article55333882 Afghan election results delayed amid fraud accusations ASHARQ AL-AWSAT 2014-07-03 https://web.archive.org/web/20141013175125/http://www.aawsat.net/2014/07/article55333882 2014-10-13 dead The NDS recorded Ziaul Haq Amarkhel, the secretary of Afghanistan's Independent Election Commission, telling local officials to "take sheep to the mountains, stuff them, and bring them back," in an apparent reference to ballot stuffing. In total, Nabil informed Karzai that NDS had intercepted approximately 5,000 communications with indicia of electoral fraud. Some of this evidence was leaked to Abdullah by an NDS officer.Steve Coll Coll Steve Directorate S: The C.I.A. and America's Secret Wars in Afghanistan and Pakistan Penguin Group 2019 9780143132509 649-650 Steve Coll recounts: "Ghani's surge of votes in the second round from Pashtun areas racked by violence was inherently suspect. Some analysts guessed that if all the fraud could be identified accurately, Abdullah would have won the election, but not every international analyst agreed."Steve Coll Coll Steve Directorate S: The C.I.A. and America's Secret Wars in Afghanistan and Pakistan Penguin Group 2019 9780143132509 653 Results The preliminary results were announced on 26 April and were finalised on 15 May. About 12 million Afghans were registered to vote in the country and about 8 million members of Afghan diaspora were also eligible to vote.Najafizada Eltaf https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-04-04/afghanistan-begins-voting-in-first-democratic-transfer-of-power.html Afghans Risk Lives to Vote in First Democratic Election Since 2001 Bloomberg 2014-04-04 2014-04-08 Nearly two-thirds of the Afghan population were under the age of 25.John Wendle http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2014/04/afghanistan-elections-youth-voters-vital-20144483111685242.html Afghanistan elections: Youth voters 'vital' - Features Al Jazeera English 2014-04-08 No candidate secured more than the 50% of the vote, so there was a second round run-off on 14 June. Preliminary results for the second round were due on 2 July, but were delayed to 7 July.https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-27857343 BBC News - Afghan election: Taliban 'removed voters' fingers' bbc.com 2014-06-28 When they were announced, Ashraf Ghani had won with 56.4% of the vote. Due to allegations of widespread fraud, US Secretary of State John Kerry announced on 12 July that all ballots would be audited under UN supervision. Following the recount, the number of valid votes had dropped from 7,972,727 in the preliminary results to 7,120,585 in the final results.Turnout: 2014 Presidential Runoff: Preliminary Results https://web.archive.org/web/20210816210518/http://www.iec.org.af/results_2014/pdf/RunOff/en/turnout.pdf 2021-08-16 IECSummary of Votes Obtained By Candidates: 2014 Presidential Runoff: Final Results https://web.archive.org/web/20210816210529/http://www.iec.org.af/results_2014/pdf/FinalRunOff/en/VotesByCandidateSummary.pdf 2021-08-16 IEC The final results also showed that Ghani's vote share had decreased to 55.3%. Abdullah Abdullah National Coalition 2972141 3185018 Ashraf Ghani Independent 2084547 3935567 Zalmai Rassoul Independent 750997 Abdul Rasul Sayyaf Islamic Dawah Organisation 465207 Qutbuddin Hilal Independent 181827 Gul Agha Sherzai Independent 103636 Mohammad Daud Sultanzoy Independent 30685 Hedayat Amin Arsala Independent 15506 413503 20845988 20845988 IEC IEC, IFES By province thumb|Map showing the results achieved by Abdullah Abdullah and Ashraf Ghani in the first round. ProvinceAbdullah AbdullahAshraf GhaniVotes%Votes%Kabul389,58449.62248,22031.62Kapisa52,54478.812,7454.12Parwan107,47871.808,3955.61Wardak36,25336.3715,06415.11Logar6,16918.6520,95363.35Ghazni194,26454.0168,32819.00Paktika19,09710.55118,08965.21Paktia13,6105.37157,82662.32Khost4,0403.5783,69174.01Nangarhar63,68919.00200,40959.80Kunar13,25712.3569,54564.76Laghman8,49510.440,67349.82Nuristan23,23437.649,00114.58Badakhshan191,26064.8542,54814.43Takhar159,37550.35121,10038.25Baghlan152,56060.1451,95320.48Kunduz100,41347.0580,89337.91Samangan86,84561.3337,63226.58Balkh238,58260.92109,69428.01Jowzjan29,37519.94101,98569.23Sar-i-Pul74,71150.4157,09738.53Faryab77,63329.31173,22565.39Badghis86,62067.5212,5779.8Herat301,36461.1554,61811.08Farah18,02931.7822,70840.03Nimroz9,67420.8815,56233.59Helmand17,90517.2934,11032.94Kandahar26,50010.6134,69813.9Zabul3,85618.937,78238.19Urozgan5,31723.86,02226.95Ghor180,44659.5139,69813.09Bamyan113,32467.9318,42711.05Panjshir37,92587.291660.38Daikundi128,71375.051911311.14Total2,972,14145.002,084,54731.56Source: Mutazilah IEC Conclusion thumb|U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry sits with Afghan presidential candidates Abdullah Abdullah, left, and Ashraf Ghani, right, at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan on July 12, 2014, after he helped broker an agreement on a technical and political plan to resolve the disputed outcome of the election between them. On 24 August President Karzai met with the two candidates, and told them they should rapidly conclude the audit process. The inauguration ceremony was set for 2 September 2014, one month after it was scheduled by the UN. He also said that the inability of the candidates to compromise on the results had led to Afghanistan deteriorating.http://president.gov.af/en/news/35783 President Karzai Talks Inauguration Date with Presidential Candidates president.gov.af 2014-08-27 https://web.archive.org/web/20140829044813/http://president.gov.af/en/news/35783 2014-08-29 dead Although Karzai had insisted he would step down on 2 September, he remained in office due to security concerns.https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/afghanistan/11061531/Karzai-warns-he-will-quit-despite-Afghanistan-deadlock.html London The Daily Telegraph Damien McElroy Karzai warns he will quit despite Afghanistan deadlock 28 August 2014 The results of the election remained in dispute, despite a proposal by the United States that the candidates agree to a power-sharing deal, which was initially agreed to. A UN-led audit failed to sway Abdullah as he insisted the audit team could not explain a million extra votes counted in the run-off. Ghani supporters insisted they wanted to do a deal and were leaving the door open to negotiationsAbdullah insists he has won and refuses to accept vote audit https://www.rferl.org/a/afghanistan-presidential-vote/26572385.html 8 September 2014 9 September 2014 Radio Free Europe On 19 September the Independent Election Commission announced Ghani as the winner.Nordland Rod Ashraf Ghani Is Named President of Afghanistan by Elections Panel https://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/22/world/asia/afghan-presidential-election.html?_r=0 21 September 2014 The New York Times 21 September 2014 Five hours later, Abdullah and Ghani signed a power-sharing agreement, with Ghani being named president and Abdullah taking on an important position in the government; the deal was signed in front of the presidential palace, with incumbent president Hamid Karzai in attendance. Part of the deal stipulated that the Independent Election Commission would not release the exact vote totals of the second round of voting. References External links Afghans go to the polls Radio France International in English Category:Presidential elections in Afghanistan President Afghanistan Category:History of Afghanistan (1992–present) President President Category:Election and referendum articles with incomplete results Category:Elections in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan