Afghanistan
- System of government
- Last Updated : 2016-09-07
Unitary presidential Islamic republic
System of government-References:
- Total population
- Last Updated : 2016-09-07 32,564,342
Total population-References:
- Total area (in square kilo meters)
- Last Updated : 2016-09-07 652,864
Total area (in square kilo meters)-References:
- Number of registered voters
- Last Updated : 2016-09-07 20,845,988
Number of registered voters-References:
- Number of registered political parties
- Last Updated : 2016-11-16 Afghanistan has a multi-party system in development with numerous political parties, in which no one party often has a chance of gaining power alone, and parties must work with each other to form coalition governments. No political party is permitted to exist that advocates anything that is deemed to go against Islamic morality. (16 major parties, 18 minor parties)
Number of registered political parties-References:
- Number of polling stations
- Last Updated : 2016-08-25 19,431 polling stations
Number of polling stations-References:
- Average number of voters per polling station
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Voting age
- Last Updated : 2016-08-24 18
Voting age-References:
- Elected Offices
- Last Updated : 2016-05-30
- Election system
- Last Updated : 2016-09-23
Single Non-Transferable Vote (Chamber 1)
Wolesi Jirga (Chamber 1) has 249 seats out of which 239 seats are allocated to the provinces in proportion to their population and the remaining 10 seats are allocated to Kuchis. The members of the Wolesi Jirga are elected through non-transferable votes.
Election system-References:
- Terms of office
- Last Updated : 2016-09-23
* Each Provincial Council elects one of its members to the House of Elders under a two-round system. (4-year term.) Each District Council elects one of its members to the House of Elders under a two-round system. (3-year term.)
Terms of office-References:
- Election
- Last Updated : 2016-08-25
2014 Presidential and Provincial Council Election
Election-References:
- Date
- Last Updated : 2016-08-25 5 April 2014
Date-References:
- Political parties in the elections
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Number of elected candidates
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Voter turnout
- Last Updated : 2016-09-07 38%
Voter turnout-References:
- Number of ballots cast
- Last Updated : 2016-09-07 8,109,493
Number of ballots cast-References:
- Legal framework for elections
- Last Updated : 2016-08-18
Separate legislation
Legal framework for elections-References:
- Legal provisions
- Last Updated : 2016-11-22
The President can call for a referendum of the people of Afghanistan. The referendum shall not be contrary to the provisions of this Constitution or require its amendment.
- Constitution of Afghanistan, art. 65 & 76:
Legal provisions-References:
- Referenda
- Last Updated : 2016-11-04
On important national, political, social as well as economic issues the President can call for a referendum of the people of Afghanistan.
Constitution of Afghanistan, art. 65:
Referenda-References:
- People’s Initiatives
- Last Updated : 2016-11-23
N/A
People’s Initiatives-References:
- Recall Votes
- Last Updated : 2016-11-23 N/A
Recall Votes-References:
- Official name
- Last Updated : 2016-08-25 Independent Election Commission of Afghanistan
Official name -References:
- Mission, Vision, Key Objectives, Functions
- Last Updated : 2016-08-25
"An Organization that will continuously strengthen and promote democracy through creating an atmosphere of trust, increasing the level of national participation, and institutionalizing regular and credible elections in the country”.
Mission, Vision, Key Objectives, Functions-References:
- Type of EMB(independent, governmental, mixed)
- Last Updated : 2016-09-07 Independent
Type of EMB(independent, governmental, mixed)-References:
- EMB budget source
- Last Updated : 2016-08-25 A national government department - Donors
EMB budget source-References:
- EMB expenditure audit
- Last Updated : 2016-09-27 A national government department
EMB expenditure audit-References:
- Number of EMB members (commissioners)
- Last Updated : 2016-08-25 1 - 10 members
Number of EMB members (commissioners)-References:
- Term of EMB members (commissioners)
- Last Updated : 2016-10-10
The President is elected by absolute majority vote through a two-round system to serve a 5-year term.
In the House of Elders (Meshrano Jirga), 34 members are elected by regional legislatures to serve 4-year terms, 34 members are elected by regional legislatures to serve 3-year terms and 34 members are appointed by the President to serve 5-year terms. In the House of People (Wolesi Jirga) 249 members are elected by single non-transferable vote to serve 5-year terms.
Term of EMB members (commissioners)-References:
- Who appoints members (commissioners)?
- Last Updated : 2016-08-25 Head of State
Who appoints members (commissioners)?-References:
- Selection of Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson
- Last Updated : 2016-12-15 N/A
Selection of Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson-References:
- Administrative divisions
- Last Updated : 2016-11-04
Afghanistan is made up of 34 provinces. Each province encompasses a number of districts or usually over 1,000 villages.
Administrative divisions -References:
- Delimitation of constituencies(electoral district)
- Last Updated : 2016-08-18
Existing regional/provincial/other boundaries are used
Delimitation of constituencies(electoral district) -References:
- Criteria for drawing boundaries
- Last Updated : 2016-11-23 Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
Criteria for drawing boundaries-References:
- Body responsible for drawing boundaries
- Last Updated : 2016-08-18
A government department or agency
Body responsible for drawing boundaries-References:
- Requirements on the right to vote
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Reasons for having the right to vote revoked
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Electoral Eligibility
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Reasons for having the eligibility revoked
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Requirements for party registration
- Last Updated : 2016-11-29 Minimum number of candidates - Other
Requirements for party registration-References:
- Candidate nomination
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Nomination by political parties
- Self nomination (independents)
- Candidate Registration (National Assembly members)
- Last Updated : 2016-10-10
- The persons, who nominate themselves for the elected seats set forth in this law, are obliged to provide to the Commission their written application of candidacy for registration within the determined period.
- The application for registration shall contain the following information:
1. Name and specific address.
2. A copy of the document which shall prove his/her identity;
3. Verified copy of educational documents as mentioned in this law.
4. Information on non-conviction, age, health status, movable and immovable properties, permanent and current residence addresses, latest employment address and other instances stated in this law.?
5. List of names, number of the voter registration cards and the finger prints of the voters residing in the respective electoral constituency who support the candidacy of the person in the ballot paper and shall be in the following order:
For the presidential candidate, one hundred thousand voters, from a minimum of twenty provinces, two percent from each province.
For the Wolesi Jirga candidate, one thousand voters.
For Kuchi, one thousand Kuchi voters.
For the Provincial Council candidate, from two hundred to six hundred voters depending on the number of population.
For the District Council candidate, from one hundred to three hundred voters depending on the number of population.
For the Village Council candidate, ten voters.
For mayoral candidate, in the capitals of first grade provinces, two thousand; for the second grade provinces, one thousand; for the third grade provinces, five hundred; and for all other municipalities, two hundred and fifty voters.
For the candidate of the Municipality Council, in the capitals of the first grade provinces, one thousand; for the second grade provinces, five hundred; for the third grade provinces, two hundred and fifty; and for all other municipality councils, one hundred and twenty five voters.
6. Provision of official document of resignation from the government positions pursuant to the provisions of the law.
- A presidential candidate shall provide to the Commission, at the time of nomination, the names of his/her two vice-presidents who fulfill the conditions set forth in this law.
Candidate Registration (National Assembly members) -References:
- Candidate registration deposit
- Last Updated : 2016-10-10
- The candidates are obliged to pay the deposit money in the following order:
1. For the Presidential candidate, an amount of one million Afghanis. This amount shall be returned to the candidate in case of winning or receiving at least ten percent of the valid votes polled in the first round of the election.
2. For the Wolesi Jirga candidate, an amount of thirty thousand Afghanis. This amount shall be returned to the candidate in case of winning or receiving at least two percent of the valid votes polled.
3. For the Provincial Council candidate, an amount of twenty thousand Afghanis. This amount shall be returned to the candidate in case of winning or receiving at least two percent of the valid votes polled.
4. For the District Council candidate, an amount of ten thousand Afghanis. This amount shall be returned to the candidate in case of winning or receiving at least two percent of the valid votes polled.
5. For the Village Council candidate, an amount of five thousand Afghanis. This amount shall be returned to the candidate in case of winning or receiving at least two percent of the valid votes polled.
6. For the mayoral candidate of the first grade provinces, one hundred thousand Afghanis; for the mayoral candidate of second grade provinces, fifty thousand Afghanis; for the mayoral candidate of third grade provinces, twenty five thousand Afghanis and for all other mayoral candidates, twelve thousand and five hundred Afghanis. These amounts shall be returned to them in case of winning or receiving at least5 percent of the valid votes polled by the mayoral candidate of the first grade provinces; 3 percent of the valid votes polled by the mayoral candidate of second grade provinces; 2 percent of the valid votes polled by the mayoral candidate of third grade provinces; and 1 percent of the valid votes polled by the mayoral candidates of other municipalities.
7. For the Municipal Council candidate of first grade provinces, twenty thousand Afghanis; for the Municipal Council candidate of second grade provinces, ten thousand Afghanis; for the Municipal Council candidate of third grade provinces, five thousand Afghanis and for the other municipal council candidates two thousand and five hundred Afghanis. These amounts shall be returned in case of winning or receiving at least 4 percent of the valid votes polled by the municipal council candidate of the first grade provinces; 3 percent of the valid votes polled by the municipal council candidate of second grade provinces; 2 percent of the valid votes polled by the municipal council candidate of the third grade provinces; and 1 percent of the valid votes polled by candidates of other municipal councils.
- The Commission is obliged to deposit into the bank account of the State revenues, the money deposited by the candidates who were unable to garner the percentage of the valid votes above mentioned.
Candidate registration deposit-References:
- Uncontested Election
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Preparation of the voters list
- Last Updated : 2016-10-10
On 26 May 2013, the IEC successfully commenced the first phase of the top-up voter registration at provincial level.
According to its operational plan, the IEC opened at least one voter registration center in every provincial capital with provinces including Kabul, Jalalabad, Kandahar, Herat, Mazar-i-Sharif, and Kunduz more than one. In total 41 provincial-level voter registration centers were opened, comprising 82 voter registration stations (41 for men and 41 for women). These centers will facilitate on-going registration u ntil two weeks prior to Election Day.
On 27 July 2013, the IEC launched the second phase of the registration, expanding operations from 41 provincial-level voter registration centers to an additional 399 district-level voter registration centers.
Three hundred and eighty-one were opened on the first day (95%), including many districts that were inaccessible to the IEC in 2010. Within a few weeks, the IEC was able to conduct voter registration operations in almost all district centers. On 17 September, the IEC officially extended the district level campaign for 45 days until 10 November.
Preparation of the voters list-References:
- Whether the registration is compulsory (or not)
- Last Updated : 2016-10-10 Created by the EMB using its own data collection and/or other sources of data
Whether the registration is compulsory (or not)-References:
- Who is responsible for the voters list
- Last Updated : 2016-10-13 Created by the EMB using its own data collection and/or other sources of data
Who is responsible for the voters list -References:
- Voters list preparation procedure
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Inspection and objection procedure
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Definition
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Period
- Last Updated : 2016-10-10 Electoral Campaign Period
This period ends 48 hours before the start of the Election Day.
The electoral campaign period for candidates shall be determined in the following order:
1- Presidential election, 60 days.
2- Wolesi Jirga elections, 30 days
3- Provincial council elections, 30 days.
4- District council elections, 20 days.
5- Village council elections, 10 days.
6- Mayoral and municipal council elections, 20 days.
This period ends 48 hours before the start of the Election Day.?
Period -References:
- Methods
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Prohibited forms of campaigning
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Who is not permitted to campaign
- Campaign Finance
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Campaign expense limit
- Income and expenditure of campaign expense
- Report, public inspection, and open of income and expenditure
- Investigation on income and expenditure of campaign expense & actions
- Reimbursement of campaign expense
- Presiding officers
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
① How many of officers in a polling station
② Roles of each officer
③ How we nominate the officers
- Facilities or items a polling station is equipped with
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Polling station location criteria
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Voting hours
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Voting
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
① Is compulsory or voluntary?
② How many ballot papers are distributed to each voter?
- Ballot Paper
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
① Determination of the order of candidates on ballots
② What has to be included in the ballot paper?
③ Ballot paper design or sample ballot paper
④ Valid and invalid ballot paper
- Voting Procedures
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Start ofvoting
- Process of voting
- End of voting
- Marking method
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Special voting (Absentee / Early / Proxy / Assisted / Postal / etc)
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
① Who are subjected to do
② Voting procedures
- Counting Location
- Last Updated : 2016-08-18 The polling centre
Counting Location-References:
- Counting period
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Vote counting method
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Counting Procedures
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Start of counting
- Process of counting
- End of counting
- When are ballots recounted?
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Who is eligible to vote for overseas voting?
- Last Updated : 2016-11-04 N/A
Who is eligible to vote for overseas voting?-References:
- Overseas voters list preparation
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Where to vote
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Voting procedure for early voting
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Methods used to transport ballot papers
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Counting procedure
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- How is the elected candidate chosen in the case of a tie?
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Apportioning of National Assembly seats
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Results Announcement
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Is the announcement of preliminary result required?
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Deadline for announcement of final results
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Reason for holding a by- or re-election
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- By-election dates
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Electoral process
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Criteria for allocating free broadcast time
- Last Updated : 2016-09-07 Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
Criteria for allocating free broadcast time-References:
- Television debates
- Last Updated : 2016-09-07 presidential elections - legislative elections
Television debates-References:
- Blackout period for release of election survey results
- Last Updated : 2016-09-07 2-3 days
Blackout period for release of election survey results-References:
- Electoral dispute resolution body
- Last Updated : 2016-11-22 Disputes over electoral matters are referred to the Central Complaints Commission established 120 days prior to the election date, by the president in consultation with the head of the Wolesi Jirga, the Meshrano Jirga and the head of the Supreme Court (Chief Justice).
Electoral dispute resolution body-References:
- Electoral dispute resolution mechanism
- Last Updated : 2016-11-22
Filing and Recording Objection and Complaint
Article 63:
(1) Natural and legal persons may, within 48 hours ofthe publication of the preliminary list of candidates, file objections inregard to their ineligibility.
(2) A candidate and or his/her agent may file acomplaint during voting, counting and or within 48 hours after the Election Dayin the center and provinces. The provincial complaint commissions are obligedto finalize and publish the results of their investigations in regard to thesecomplaints within 10 days following the Election Day.
(3) In case the complainant candidate may not besatisfied with the decision of the provincial complaint commission, he/she maypersonally or through his/her authorized representative file a writtenobjection with the Central Complaint Commission within 72 hours after thepublication of the decision.
(4) The Central Complaint Commission is obliged tore-investigate the instances of the objection over the decision of itsprovincial commissions’ decisions in the light of the documents and evidence,and issue its final decision.
(5) The Central Complaint Commission shall not delayadjudication of the complaints and challenges filed against the decisions ofits provincial commissions for more than a month after the Election Day.
(6) In case the time determined in the paragraphs 1, 2and 3 of this article coincides with holidays, the hours of the holidays shallbe deducted from the time determined.
Electoral dispute resolution mechanism-References:
- Alternative electoral dispute resolution mechanism
- Last Updated : 2016-12-15 N/A
Alternative electoral dispute resolution mechanism-References:
- Direct public funding
- Last Updated : 2016-10-28 Political parties may receive income from the following sources: d) subsidies by the government in connection with elections
Direct public funding-References:
- Private funding of political parties
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- If so, is there limit on the amount a donor can contribute to candidate or political party
- Regulation, monitoring and investigation
- Last Updated : 2016-10-28 Fines - Loss of nomination of candidate - Other
Regulation, monitoring and investigation-References:
- Regulation, monitoring and investigation bodies
- Last Updated : 2016-10-28
EMB
Regulation, monitoring and investigation bodies-References:
- Which electoral processes are using ICTs?
- Last Updated : 2016-10-13 Official election results are processed by an electronic tabulation system?
Which electoral processes are using ICTs? -References:
- When it was introduced
- Last Updated : 2016-12-15 N/A
When it was introduced-References:
- Gender equality
- Last Updated : 2016-11-29 Female Population: 15,326,085 (2014)
· Is Afghanistan a signatory to CEDAW: Yes (14 August 1980)
· Has Afghanistan ratified CEDAW: Yes (5 March 2003)
· Gender Quota: Yes
· Female candidates in this election: No
· Number of Female Parliamentarians: 28 (27.45%) (2010)
· Human Development Index Position: 171 (2014)
· Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) Categorization: High (2014)
Gender equality-References:
- Aids for disabled or handicapped voters
- Last Updated : 2016-11-22 Is Afghanistan a signatory to CRPD: No
· Has Afghanistan ratified CRPD: Yes, accession (18 September 2012)
· Population with a disability: 4,666,211 (est.)
Aids for disabled or handicapped voters -References:
- Voter education
- Last Updated : 2016-08-18 Election time only
Voter education-References:
- National civic education
- Last Updated : 2016-11-23 N/A
National civic education-References:
- EMB Staff education
- Last Updated : 2016-12-15 N/A
EMB Staff education-References:
- Domestic observation
- Last Updated : 2016-11-29
Democracy International noted a substantial increase in the number of domestic observer organizations in the 2014 elections compared to previous elections in Afghanistan. Domestic election observers were present at most stations (68%) DI visited and candidate agents were nearly ubiquitous (98%). The domestic observers were mostly from FEFA and TEFA, although DI observers did note the presence of other domestic observation groups at a few stations. Candidate agents represented several provincial council and presidential candidates. The IEC accredited a total of 68 domestic observer organizations and issued more than 15,000 observa-tion badges to domestic observers; this is more than three times the number of domestic organizations accredited in 2009 and nearly twice the number of domestic observers reported in that year.
Domestic observation-References:
- International observation
- Last Updated : 2016-11-29 Following an invitation from the Independent Election Commission of Afghanistan, the OSCE Permanent Council tasked ODIHR to deploy an Election Support Team to assist government and international efforts in conducting the presidential and provincial council elections and to prepare a report, including recommendations, with a view to enhancing the conduct of future elections.
(Presidential and Provincial Council Elections, 5 April and 14 June 2014)
International observation-References:
- Partnerships/MoUs
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- International Activities
- Last Updated : 2016-11-22 The Asia Foundation has supported the electoral process in Afghanistan since its first presidential election in 2004, working with the government's Independent Election Commission and civil society partners on electoral reform and civic education activities, with a particular focus on meaningful, democratic participation by women and youth. The Foundation provided support for the 2014 presidential elections, and continues to support domestic, regional, and international observation missions to observe future parliamentary elections, promote civic engagement, and strengthen the role of women in Afghan politics.
International Activities-References:
- Major challenges to elections
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Measures taken to deal with those Challenges
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03