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Vote to Exercise Your Rights and be Counted
The Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, passed in 2004, states that “The citizens of Afghanistan shall have the right to elect and be elected.” Voting is not only a civil right, but also a responsibility of every citizen who has been granted this right, a right especially hard-won for women.
As the foundation of Afghanistan’s young democracy, voting affirms your freedom to elect the government and people who you see fit to run the country and who reflect your views of the direction you want Afghanistan to go. It sends a message to the leaders on issues you think are important, and holds them responsible for the decisions they make. Ultimately, going out to cast your vote helps you decide your own future. On the long run, voting also helps you safeguard your freedoms as a democracy can only survive if the citizens see their participation in the political process as a duty and a responsibility. You should vote because you care about Afghanistan and its future.
You should vote because you believe in an accountable government and want to make a change by adding your voice. You should vote because it will make you feel good about participating and having a voice.
Vote for Peace and Prosperity
The presidential elections of 2009 underline an important benchmark in the history of Afghanistan, and more importantly in the future of the country. Only the second direct presidential elections in the country’s history, the elections hold much more than just symbolic significance. They provide a chance for the Afghans to vote for a robust change that will save the country from the free fall that it is heading for, and ultimately keep it from encountering another disaster.
While the current government has undoubtedly delivered positive changes for some, simultaneously it has failed with many vital changes. Great numbers of Afghans still suffer from lack of security with dire consequences for their everyday life. Schools have re-opened only to close again due to security issues. Girls are paying a particularly heavy price for this. Even those who do manage to complete their schooling face hard times with youth unemployment of around 40 per cent. These and many other grave failures cannot be justified with the positive changes. This holds true particularly when the government officials themselves have added to these failures with their own actions such as corruption and other misgivings.
Fortunately the democratic process regularly gives the people the power to keep a check on their leaders. The future of Afghanistan is now placed back to the hands of the Afghans, who can either choose a change or opt to stay in the desperate situation that the country is in. Any future failure of Afghanistan is the failure of Afghans to unite and resolve to bring about a better future for themselves, as well as for the following generations. Use your vote wisely for it has far reaching consequences.
