Transparency has always been a serious concern in the run-up to the elections in Afghanistan and now the system has fallen prey to it yet again.
With presidential candidate and former foreign minister Abdullah Abdullah rejecting the final results and alleging massive fraud in the crucial run off polls against his rival and former finance minister Ashraf Gani Ahmadzai, a prospective state of destabilisation cannot be ruled out. It is important for power to be democratically transferred in Afghanistan through elections, but with this current stalemate pitfalls loom ahead.
With US and Nato troops scheduled to withdraw later this year, the new president must be allowed to take office and thwart a heightened Taliban bid for power. He cannot discharge his duties if his own position is under threat from multiple quarters.
With Abdullah declaring that no result would be acceptable, alleging that the Independent Election Commission (IEC) was not neutral, a standoff is on the cards. It is a situation that the Taliban would use to destabilise the system.
In short, there could be a serious long-term challenge to the new government, irrespective of who goes on to become president after Karzai. A security pact initiated by the US, but rejected by Karzai, is waiting to be signed and this could facilitate negotiations with the Taliban.
The final results are expected to be announced in August, but with these fresh allegations of fraud a period of prolonged uncertainty is guaranteed. The international community must brace itself for another intervention in Afghanistan.
