PESHAWAR: With preparations for the second presidential polls in full swing in their country of origin, a large number of Afghans residing in different areas of Pakistan may not join the process for a number of reasons.

Unlike in the 2004 presidential elections, it is mandatory for all Afghans to return to their homeland if they want to participate in the 2009 polls. Previously, they were allowed to cast votes outside the country. For the purpose, polling was held in different areas of Peshawar to facilitate millions of refugees.

However, withdrawal of the facility for the 2009 presidential and provincial council elections may prevent many of the nearly two million Afghans taking part in the key democratic exercise.

Most Afghans living in Pakistan cite financial constraints, security concerns, non-registration and political differences as reasons for skipping the election process.

However, a large number belonging to the eastern provinces of Nangarhar, Laghman, and Kunar and the central capital Kabul are eager to participate in the elections.

The reason is that the eastern zone of Afghanistan is located close to Peshawar and it does not take much time and money for the people to go to their areas and vote for candidates of their choice.

But those belonging to far-off places like Mazar-i-Sharif, Herat or Kunduz argue they do not have enough time and money to go to their areas for voting. Many of them, including educated Afghans, do not know the contenders except President Karzai, his former foreign minister Dr. Abdullah Abdullah and then finance minister Ashraf Ghani.

Initially, 41 candidates registered themselves with Afghanistan's Independent Election Commission (AIEC). However, two of them later withdrew in favour of the incumbent president and Dr. Abdullah.

Ghuncha Gul, 39, a juice shop owner from Kama district of Nangarhar, will go to his country to join the process. Gul is happy that his country is entering a new phase and people like him have the chance to elect a new leader.

But Muhammad Shoaib, a resident of Chehl Satoon locality of Kabul, is disenchanted. Working as waiter at a Peshawar hotel, the 35-year-old says it is more important for him to earn a living for his family than to waste money and time going to Kabul to take part in the polls.

Shoaib recalls participation in the elections in2004 when polling arrangements were in Peshawar. His colleague Qasim, hailing from the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif, offers the same reasons for non-participation in the polls.

With the exception of some well-off families, almost all people belonging to the northern and western zones of Afghanistan have no plans to join the polls, mainly for financial reasons.

In contrast, those from the eastern zone will cast their votes. Many living in camps will not vote because of their disenchantment with the present political system.

Haji Sharafat, a dweller of the Shamshatoo Refugee Camp, will skip the polls because the process is more like a selection than an election. "There are only two men in the race -- Karzai and Abdullah. Whosoever better protects American interests will be picked as next president," claims the bearded man, having links to the Hezb-i-Islami led by Gulbadin Hekmatyar.

Zahid Rahman Mukhlis, another Afghan elder living in Jamrud tehsil of Khyber Agency, concurs with Haji Sharafat. He sees the polls as a farcical exercise.

Unlike in the build-up to the 2004 polls, little campaign activity can be seen in areas inhabited by Afghan refugees. There are no posters and electoral programmes of candidates.

Commenting on the participation of refugees in the polls, a Peshawar-based Afghan journalist says most people are poor and they would not take part in the process unless the candidates arrange transportation facilities for them.

Secondly, Janullah Hashemzada adds, the border is sealed a day or two before the elections. So, the Afghans will have to leave for their country well in advance.

Again, the poor will not be able to leave their jobs unattended to cast their votes, he concludes.

Daud Khattak