Article published in the daily newspaper "Eesti Päevaleht" on September 19, 2005

Afghan Parliamentary Elections:
The Democratic Transition Continues

U.S. Ambassador Aldona Wos, MD

Four years ago, Afghanistan was suffering under the yoke of an oppressive regime that had no respect for freedom, human rights or human dignity. At the time, there were undoubtedly few Afghans who imagined they would ever have the right to choose their leaders in open, fair elections. But on September 18, Afghan voters went to the polls to elect legislative representatives. The new parliament that emerges from these elections will be the final step in constructing Afghanistan's first entirely democratically elected government.

After a quarter century of war and oppression, Afghan voters got their first taste of democracy with the October 2004 presidential elections, in which they chose Hamid Karzai to form a cabinet and lead the country back down the path of freedom and prosperity. With the ballots they cast September 18, the voters will choose a legislature to work with the president's cabinet and the judiciary and to establish a legal structure for Afghanistan's social and economic recovery.

Over 2,700 candidates competed for seats in Afghanistan's lower house of parliament, the "Wolesi Jirga." According to the Afghan constitution, each of the country's 34 provinces will have at least two women representatives, meaning that more than one quarter of the representatives in the Wolesi Jirga will be women, a dramatic step forward for women who, four years ago, were not allowed to work outside their homes or appear in public unless accompanied by a male family member.

Voters also cast ballots for provincial council representatives. These regional governing bodies will establish local development targets and work with provincial administrators in pursuing those goals. They will also send representatives from their ranks to fill seats in Afghanistan's upper house of parliament, the "Meshrano Jirga."

Over 12 million Afghans registered for the right to vote. While extremist groups tried to intimidate the Afghan people with threats of election day violence, voters have once again shown their courage, as they did in the presidential election, and sent a clear message to the anti-democratic forces who want to strip them of their basic rights: Afghanistan will not return to its dark, oppressive past.

With the help of the international community, Afghanistan has made remarkable progress over the past four years. The economy is growing; children are returning to school; healthcare is improving; the infrastructure is being rebuilt; militias are being disbanded, and Afghan national forces are taking control of security. But in order for this progress to continue, Afghanistan must have a fully functioning government.

The Afghan people understand that the September 18 elections are a crucial part of building the democratic institutions that will allow them to move forward. The international community also understands the importance of these elections and has provided almost $160 million to ensure that the elections proceed smoothly. Contributions have flowed in from the European Union, Japan, the Netherlands, Canada, the United Kingdom, Italy and Australia as well as from the United States.

The new Afghan parliament will ensure a balance of power in the Afghan government. With its diverse constituencies, it will ensure that all Afghan voices are heard. With its extensive oversight responsibilities, it will ensure that no individual or group of individuals can take the country hostage to a narrow, extremist agenda. The United States and the international community stand by the Afghan people as they take their next important step towards a brighter and more prosperous future.