Analysts have been noting how little point there was to the latest Afghan Presidential election, as after evidence of massive fraud and ballot stuffing, the US negotiated a deal for both candidates to share power.
Ashraf Ghani, who won the first count and was the one many election officials were stuffing boxes on behalf of, has faced growing criticism from his supporters for agreeing to the US plan, and no says he has no intention of sharing power if he wins.
“Dual authority is not possible,” Ghani insisted, saying Abdullah would only serve as “chief executive,” the consolation prize supposed to be created in the power-sharing deal, at his discretion and under his orders.
The audit is still continuing, 11 months into the election process, and shows no sign of ending any time soon. Ghani has spurned all recount efforts that might significantly undercut his margin in the preliminary count. Abdullah Abdullah, the front-runner going into the vote, has broad support in northern Afghanistan, and some supporters have threatened to try to take power by force on his behalf, which was why the US was so desperate to reach the deal. In the absence of power-sharing, the risk of a civil war within Afghanistan’s already massive war cannot be ruled out.