Residents of central Maidan Wardak provinces want their upcoming president to halt unilateral operation being conducted by foreign forces, arresting of innocent civilians and control growing Taliban’s sway.
 
The central Maidan Wardak province has nine administrative units including its capital Maidan Shar. It is located at a 35 kilometers distance from Kabul.
 
Recently, residents staged protest against the unilateral operations and the harassment of civilians by foreign forces with special reference by the U.S. troops.    
 
The provincial council has nine members including three female and its head is Muhammad Rafi Wardak who hail from Sayyed Abad district.
 
Despite the fact that the province is located in close proximity of Kabul but it is one of the volatile provinces with daily reports of Improvised explosive Devices (IED) explosions, attacks, ambushes and kidnapping of government employees.    
 
Last elections were not held in a free, fair and transparent way because of insecurity and the Taliban influence. The votes could not be cast in various localities with special reference in Pashtun-dominated areas. People close to the provincial capital were able only to cast their votes.
 
It is widely feared that if security could not be improved then people participation in the upcoming elections and voters turnaround would be low.
 
Government employee says insecurity hampering rehabilitation:
 
Awlia 28, former employee of rural rehabilitation department told Pajhwok News Agency: “The projects of his department are only implemented in secure localities while the government as well as private companies is not implementing projects in insecure areas.” He linked people’s participation in the upcoming ballots to enhanced rehabilitation.
 
An illiterate woman says she wants the country’s next president should reconcile with Taliban:
 
Rahm Bibi 40, who has four sons and six grandchildren said that her grandchildren study in the nearby school of the district but she fear all the time for their safety as IEDs are planted throughout the road.
Referring to previous elections, she said radios were reporting about elections activities from around the country but nothing was happening in her district regarding elections activities. She said if the government reconciles with the Taliban then militants would not prevent prevented people from voting. “The upcoming president should force Americans out from the country and reconcile with Taliban. The Taliban will not prevent people from voting.”
 
A student, Saira Maya says security is deteriorated with accelerated steps:
 
Saira Mayar 28, a resident of Sayyed Abad district with her graduation from high school in Kabul said when she returned five years back to her district and started teaching in a girl’s school then there was no major security problem. However, she said now her school has been closed down and the dilemma is that even minor girls do not go to school because of growing insecurity.
Suhaila 30, another resident of the district who recently came to Kabul said the public representatives in the parliament hail from one locality and tribe that’s why they do not bother to play their role to improve the security. She said if the security is improved during the upcoming elections then she would vote a person who could address problems of female education.
 
Saleh, a villager says “we still live in darkness.”
 
Saleha 32, a resident of Sayyed Abad district who has only primary education said that the reconstruction of Chack dam would ensure provision enough electricity to resolve the problem to great extent. Saleha while lauding the paving of Kabul- Kandahar highway and construction of bridges said that IEDs and mines destroyed the entire infrastructure. Citing lawlessness and insecurity, she did not think elections could be held. “If elections take place, she will vote in favour of a candidate who can help construct more dams and provide electricity,” she added.
 
Muhammad Younus, a driver says, “We will cast vote but in return we want paved roads.
 
Muhammad Younus, a driver on Sayyed Abad- Kabul road said the road was excellent four years back but now he fears all the time when driving that his vehicle could be blow up by a roadside bomb. “I will vote for a contender who has the ability to attract foreign assistance for construction of roads,” he said, adding that he does not expect provincial council members could contribute in terms of development because they are unable to visit their constituencies out of fear.
 
An employee of the education department says there is no closed school in Maidan Wardak:
 
Abdul Mati 30, a resident of Jalrez district said he is an observer of schools in the province, which presents a different picture because none of the schools are closed yet despite of insecurity.
“In Wardak, armed militants by themselves encourage teachers and students to impart and learn education and the vital sector get tremendous boost. However, girl schools need to be increased,” he added. Referring to his vote, he said he would vote for a candidate whose top priority is improvement of female education.
 
Traders complain that the government did nothing for them:
 
Haji Din Muhammad, a trader and stucco contractor from Diamirdad district said the reconstruction projects were mostly carried out in the provincial capital and the nearby districts of Behsud and Jalriz.
“Road to my district is bumpy and I pays 20,000 Afs ($400) to a vehicle for taking my stuccos to the district but if we have paved road then I will have only 10,000 Afs,” he remarked.
 
He said it is imperative for a candidate in the elections to have more sympathizers to get more votes then he or she should prioritize paving of roads. Complaining about the role of the provincial administration, he said that the upcoming president could better decide their fate.
 
A labor says he wants efficient president who can deliver:
  
Muhammad Alam 28, a resident of Jaghto district said his five years labor in Iran only enabled him to afford his wedding party. He said if he had job opportunity at home then why he would bear the hardships in a foreign country.
Seeing no rays of hope for a change after the elections, he expressed optimism that he would take part in the polls, adding that if the upcoming president fails to tighten security then all the elections exercise would be wastage of time and money.
 
Reporter of a private television channel says his country’s people do not believe on elections.
 
Mujeeb Ehsas, reporter with a private television channel and resident of Chack district says people lost trust in elections. He went on to say that last year only government employees and some people participated in polls.
 
“Growing lawlessness, insecurity, delaying tactics to pave roads and build the Chack dam are the main reasons widening gap between government and people,” he observed.
 
Referring to upcoming elections, he said casting votes could be carried out through voter registration card while most of the residents possess no such card. He called upon the government to immediately sack the corrupt officials. The Taliban, he said has strong propaganda campaign who said there were no polling centers or electoral campaigns during the previous elections. He said that the last elections witnessed selections of the provincial council members through the provincial capital.