Despite the success of the recent loya jirga in adopting a new constitution, the difficulties involved in creating the conditions for free and fair elections by June 2004 loom large. Concerns have been raised that premature elections risk further destabilizing Afghanistan. Numerous practical issues remain to be resolved, including whether the security situation will permit successful registration and voting processes, whether foreign donors will provide adequate and timely funding, and whether sufficient voter education will be provided to an electorate that has never before participated in a democratic election.

On February 18, the U.S. Institute of Peace hosted a Current Issues Briefing to explore the complicated issues surrounding the question: "Is Afghanistan Ready for Elections?" The latest in an ongoing series of USIP events examining the issues related to the reconstruction of Afghanistan, the panel explored the political as well as technical feasibility of carrying out countrywide elections as currently planned for June. Moderated by Institute rule of law expert Laurel Miller, the panel featured insights from U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad (via teleconference), internationally acclaimed journalist Ahmed Rashid, and elections expert and Institute senior fellow Horacio Boneo. The panel presentations were followed by questions from the floor.

Speakers

• Horacio Boneo
  Elections Expert; and Senior Fellow, U.S. Institute of Peace
• Zalmay Khalilzad (Via teleconference)
  U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan
• Ahmed Rashid
  Journalist, Far Eastern Economic Review and Daily Times (London)
• Laurel Miller, Moderator
  Rule of Law Program, United States Institute of Peace