Voter Registration

Afghan Profile

• 25 – 30 Million People• 85% rural population• Literacy Rates (M 43% F 13%)• Culturally conservative• Ethnic tensions• Political Environment– Political apathy– Lack of confidence/trust in the process– Lack of political will to reform electoral process

• Security environment worsening/transition

• Independent/Autonomous• 9 member Commission (Directly appointed by President

of Republic• Secretariat (HQ and 34 Provinces)• CEO appointed by President of Republic• Deputy CEO - Operation / admin finance• Funded largely by donors:– 2003 -> 2015 = 6 election cycles & 4 VR exercises=~$1 billion direct costsGovt. contribution $20 million

EMB

• VR Operational Framework established in 1 week in 2003:

• Complete Vacuum of VR/Civic Data• Compressed Timeframe in initial planning and

shortcomings of data collected has compounded problems ever since

VR BACKGROUND

• Only periodic voter registry (VR) prior to elections have been conducted:

• 2003–04 Nationwide Registration• 2005 Update (Top-Up)• 2008 Update (Top Up) – Added Biometric data• 2010 Update (Top Up)

• 2006 – 2007 Joint Civil/Electoral Register Pilot Program

1. This VR regulation has been approved pursuant to the articles 15 and 66 of the Election Law by the Independent Election Commission on 22 January 2013,

2. According to Art. 1 of this regulation, voters shall prove their identity by presenting any one of the documents listed below in order to be able to cast vote on the Election Day:– E-Tazkera;– Valid VR cards, issued by the Commission in the past; – Valid VR cards to be issued through the Voter Registration process in

2013 and 2014

Introduction To VR in Afghanistan

Who can request for new registration?

1. who have recently become eligible for voting;2. have recently returned to the country;3. have moved from one electoral constituency to another;4. have lost their old VR cards;5. whose VR cards are damaged in such a way that

specifications of the voters may not be visible;6. Eligible voters who have not obtained VR cards in the

past, due to what so ever reason.Those who posses E-Tazkera, are not required to request for New VR Card.

Voter Registration Phases

Three phases:• Phase I: Provincial level• Phase II: District level• Phase III: Prior to the E-Day at PC

level

Phase I: Provincial Level

25 July25 May

FebJanDec 22 Mar

28 Sep

Oct Nov

Provinces with more than ONE VRC

Total VRC 41VRS (F) 41

VRS (M) 41

Contingency VRS 18

Total VRS 100

Estimated number of registrants

1.2 million

Number of Field Staff 564

Working Time: Sat -Thu from 8:00 to 16:00

Phase II: District Level

Total VRC 440VRS (F) 440

VRS (M) 440

Contingency VRS 300

Total VRS 1180

Estimated number of registrants

2.5 million

Number of Field Staff 5543

Working Time: Sat -Thu from 8:00 to 16:00

26 Sep 27 July

FebJanDec 22 Mar

28 Sep

Oct Nov

Phase III: Pre-Polling

• One week before polling for five days and conclude three days before polling (29 Mar – 2 April 2014).

National Data Center VR Process

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Thank You!