2019 Afghan presidential election

2019 Afghan presidential election
Election name	2019 Afghan presidential election
Country	Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
Type	Presidential
Previous election	2014 Afghan presidential election
Previous year	2014
Next election	2024 Afghan presidential election
Next year	2024
Election date	28 September 2019 (first round)

2019 Afghan presidential election The 2019 Afghan presidential election was held on 28 September 2019 as part of the political process in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, following the completion of the term that began with the 2014 Afghan presidential election. The contest featured a crowded field, significant security concerns linked to the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021), and electoral administration overseen by the Independent Election Commission (Afghanistan), amid international attention from actors including the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan and the United States Department of State.

Background

The vote occurred against the backdrop of the ongoing War in Afghanistan (2001–2021), negotiations between the United States peace talks with the Taliban and the Taliban insurgency, efforts by the Afghan National Security Forces and the NATO Resolute Support Mission, and political developments that included tensions between incumbent President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah stemming from the outcome of the 2014 Afghan presidential election. Regional stakeholders such as Pakistan, Iran, India, and the Russian Federation expressed strategic interest, while international organizations including the European Union and the United Nations Security Council monitored electoral preparations. Prior reforms and controversies traced to the Electoral Reform Commission (Afghanistan) and past disputes over the 2014 Afghan presidential election shaped public expectations.

Candidates and Campaigns

Prominent contenders included incumbent Ashraf Ghani, former Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, former CEO and finance minister Abdul Rashid Dostum? (Note: Dostum did not run as main candidate), former Foreign Minister Dr. Mohammad Qasim Fahim? (deceased earlier), and leaders such as Gulbuddin Hekmatyar? (not a 2019 candidate). Major registered candidates who actively campaigned were Ashraf Ghani, Abdullah Abdullah, ex-CEO Abdullah Abdullah (listed due to high profile), former Minister Amrullah Saleh, former Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah (see above), and figures from provinces such as Kabul Province, Herat Province, Kandahar Province, and Balkh Province. Campaigning took place across urban centers including Kabul, Herat, Mazar-i-Sharif, and Kandahar, with platforms addressing relations with the United States Department of Defense, negotiations with the Taliban, anti-corruption measures relevant to the Ministry of Finance (Afghanistan), and security commitments affecting the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police. Political parties and coalitions, including groups associated with the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan (historical), regional power-brokers, and ethnic constituencies such as the Pashtuns, Tajiks, Hazaras, and Uzbeks shaped alliances.

Electoral System and Legal Framework

The electoral process was governed by Afghan law and administered by the Independent Election Commission (Afghanistan), with disputes adjudicated by the Supreme Court of Afghanistan and oversight from the Independent Electoral Complaints Commission (Afghanistan). The system used a single-round plurality for the presidency under statutes originating from the Constitution of Afghanistan (2004), which outlined eligibility, nomination, and voting procedures. Voter registration efforts relied on the Electoral Rolls maintained by the IEC, biometric technologies influenced by contractors linked to international assistance, and rules informed by the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission and observers from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights.

Security and Logistical Challenges

Security threats from the Taliban insurgency, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant – Khorasan Province, and affiliated militant groups led to attacks on polling centers in provinces such as Nangarhar Province, Helmand Province, Baghlan Province, and Kunduz Province. The Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police, supported by the NATO Resolute Support Mission and international contractors, undertook security operations. Logistical hurdles included transportation across rugged terrain in the Hindu Kush, delays in delivery to districts like Farah Province and Zabul Province, and coordination with provincial governors and the Ministry of Interior (Afghanistan).

Voting, Turnout, and Incidents

On 28 September 2019 many polling stations opened, while turnout varied across Kabul, Herat, Mazar-i-Sharif, and rural districts. Violence disrupted voting in multiple provinces; attacks claimed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant – Khorasan Province and interdicted by Afghan Air Force sorties led to casualties among civilians and security personnel. Reports from domestic monitors such as the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission and international observers including the European Union Election Observation Mission documented irregularities, ballot-stuffing allegations, and logistical failures. Voter turnout estimates referenced by the Independent Election Commission (Afghanistan) and debated by international missions differed from figures cited by political campaigns.

Results and Disputes

The Independent Election Commission (Afghanistan) released provisional results which triggered challenges and recounts processed by the Independent Electoral Complaints Commission (Afghanistan) and adjudication by the Supreme Court of Afghanistan. Political leaders, notably Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah, disputed counts, citing irregularities tied to provincial tallies from Badakhshan Province, Faryab Province, and Helmand Province. International actors including the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, the European Union, and delegations from the United States Department of State called for transparent dispute resolution. The post-election period involved negotiations, parallel claims, and formulas for power-sharing reminiscent of the resolution after the 2014 Afghan presidential election.

Domestic and International Reactions

Domestic reactions included statements from parliamentarians in the Meshrano Jirga and the Wolesi Jirga, pronouncements by provincial leaders in Balkh Province and Kunduz Province, and responses from civil society groups such as the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission. International responses involved the United Nations Security Council, diplomatic statements from the United States Department of State, the European Union External Action Service, and regional governments including Pakistan and Iran, all urging peaceful resolution and adherence to Afghan legal processes. Media coverage from outlets reporting on the region, analysis by think tanks focused on the South Asia strategic environment, and commentary by former diplomats and military officials shaped post-election discourse, as did ongoing negotiations with the Taliban and the evolving role of the NATO Resolute Support Mission in Afghan security affairs.

Category:Elections in Afghanistan