It’s round two in Afghanistan. Fresh elections scheduled for November 7 follow the confirmation of widespread election fraud in the August 20 presidential elections. President Karzai’s 50-plus per cent majority has fallen to 49 per cent with his main rival, Abdullah Abdullah, at 31 per cent. Cajoling and behind the scenes action has resulted in Karzai’s reluctant acceptance to a run-off.

An inquiry into the August 20 elections has indicated widespread discrepancies. Registrations themselves were inconsistent: 17 million voters registered; however following an exhaustive inquiry by the UN-backed electoral commission the number eligible and likely to vote stands at about 12 milion. This has given rise to fears about “ghost” voters and polling stations: UN personnel will be responsible in preventing another such scenario. Thus far, there has been a cutback in polling stations; more such measures are needed. There is also the issue of a lower voter-turnout, both because a run-off traditionally sees a decline in the voter turnout and also because of sustained threats from the Taliban. The Taliban have been vocal, calling the elections “a failed, American process” and have threatened, “The mujahidin are fully prepared to defeat this process.” The role of the United Nations and the ISAF will be under scrutiny more than before, as the task for monitoring the election falls upon them.

Hopeful calls for a coalition government are, so far, fruitless. Neither Karzai nor Abdullah seems willing to work together as equals. Thus, an outright winner may be required to resolve the political stalemate. Much attention is now upon the UN-backed commission as the Afghan election commission stands discredited as a pro-incumbent body. A disillusioned Afghan population need to be assuaged that both the incumbent and the international forces can first ensure security, thereby allowing for genuine legitimacy to follow.