Daikundi: What Voters Say
NEILI (PAN): People of Daikundi expressed their resolve to take active part in the upcoming elections in an attempt to elect president and provincial council members among those who would steer the country out of crisis and ensure speedy justice.
They were of the opinion that free and fair ballots were the only way to get rid of current challenges and turmoil. “If polls are not held then Afghanistan will be turned again into a battle ground,” said the locals.
People of the province are determined to take parts in voting process to elect the country’s future leader. Some people from remote villages of the province won’t be able to use their right to vote because of long distance to the polling stations.
Pajhwok Afghan News interviewed residents from different walks of life elsewhere in Daikundi to know their view points in line with the upcoming elections.
Paish Imam (prayers’ leader): Holding elections is a positive development:
Jan Mohammad Fazil, Paish Imam (prayers’ leader) in Neili said holding elections was a bold step but people should participate in the elections. Elections are facing major problems such as growing insecurity in Kijran district and long distance from polling stations, he added. He went on to say the distance of polling stations would deprive many voters of their right to vote.
He demanded the relevant quarters to send mobile registration teams to remote areas of the districts to ensure provision of needed facilities to the people.
He underlined the need the scholars should be given a role to create awareness among people about the importance of vesting vote and take part in the elections in larger national interests.
Ms. Farhangi: Women face problems in ballot process:
Ms. Farhangi, member of Development Council said women would have less access to take part in polls because of long distance from their villages to the polling stations.
She said a woman could not leave her house without any one taking care of her children back at her home, adding women won’t be able to use their right to vote.
Shopkeeper: I will cast my vote.
Asmatullah, a shopkeeper in Neili city said he would participate in elections but only in the provincial council member’s ballots. He said he had no information how the president would be elected.
“I will request the contender whom I am going to vote to help build the Neili city,” he added.
Student:  I think less people will participate in the election.
Mujahid, a resident of Daikundi and the student of third year of agriculture Faculty at Bamyan University said people of villages and far-flung areas had no knowledge and awareness about the importance of vote and elections. He said he feared there would be less turnout in the election.
He said less people would be able to cast their votes because of long distance of polling stations.
He hoped the provincial council candidates, political parties and presidential candidate should provide people with vehicles on elections day.
He said long distance from polling stations was one of the main problems in Daikundi, which would cause half of women and one fourths of men not to be able to participate in the elections.
“The president and provincial council members should be the men of principles who are able ensure justice across the country equally,” he said
An unemployed person: I don’t want to participate in the elections:
Mohsin 27 who is a 12th grade educated from Shahristan district ruled out to cast his vote, saying the contenders forgot about their constituencies’ problems after getting elected to parliament.
He said thousands of jobless youth had gone to neighboring countries and thousands more were jobless elsewhere in the province.
He said contenders for presidential position did not care to resolve problems being faced by the nation and people after ballot that’s why he did not want to take part in the elections.
Activist of a civil society: “Non-participation in election will question the legitimacy of the next government.”
Ismail Negarish, a civil society activist in Daikundi said taking part in elections was mandatory to help stabilize democracy and build the nation. He said if people preferred to stay away from the ballots then it would leave a big question mark on the legitimacy on the elections.
“It is my duty to participate in the elections in an attempt to election country’s future leader for my country,” he added
He said election had its problem, sometimes marred by rigging, technical flaws and insecurity, noting every citizen should back the national process to make it successful.
"We may now have lots of difficulty in the way of elections but think how we can overcome the problems to have successful elections. If we do not support the national process today, the problems and challenges will be multiplied tomorrow,” he added.
A farmer: I will vote in favour of a candidate who can ensure security and help build roads.
Sakhi Dad, a farmer in Dakundi said that “I will participate in the elections in an attempt to get a good president who can usher the country on path to progress and prosperity.”
He said he would cast his vote in favour of a contender who could ensure security of the country and help build more roads.
He said the country needed its future president to be a man of integrity who could create business opportunities and resolve problem of unemployment.