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Supporting September 18 Parliamentary ElectionsThe National Democratic Institute (NDI), with USAID-funding, is working to ensure the success of the democratic September 18 Parliamentary elections. NDI is conducting regional roundtables with political parties and candidates to discuss the obligations and responsibilities that the candidates have agreed to under the Code of Conduct. As part of this effort, NDI hosted a day-long national roundtable entitled “Ensuring a Safe and Secure Campaign: The Code of Conduct for Parties and Independent Candidates” on August 14 in Kabul. NDI continues its last major training module for parliamentary candidates, entitled The Candidate Agent Training Program. Candidate agents learn about the election process and are expected to return to their villages and educate their neighbors. Each training center began this training August 14, and have averaged 150 – 200 participants everyday, excluding Fridays. This will result in approximately 39,200 agents being trained prior to election day. As part of this effort, NDI is providing materials for the training of Joint Electoral Management Body (JEMB) polling station staff to ensure their role is more clearly understood on election day. On August 20, NDI hosted a day-long conference for women candidates in cooperation with the Women’s Political Participation Committee, a women’s forum. The event included 45 women candidates from the Kabul area and representatives from Afghan women NGOs. Women’s Affairs Minister Minister Dr. Massouda Jalal gave opening remarks for the conference. Each candidate was able to present their platform to the conference, after which a general discussion ensued, with an emphasis on cooperation amongst women. Free and Fair Elections in Afghanistan (FEFA) has begun training on monitoring procedures with their provincial members at the district level. FEFA will be accredited by JEMB to accompany the ballots from the polling stations to the counting centers. Planning has begun to enable FEFA to undertake this task, which may include FEFA observers staying with the ballots during the counting period. 7 Million Afghan Children Receive Vaccine Against PolioApproximately 40,000 vaccinators and monitors will fan out across Afghanistan in early September in a three day United Nations sponsored campaign to immunize 7 million children under the age of five against polio. The campaign, led by the Afghan Health Ministry with support from USAID, UNICEF, and UN World Health Organization (WHO), gets underway as health officials confirm a total of four cases of the paralyzing disease reported so far in 2005, the same number as last year. The teams of vaccinators and monitors will move from house to house in every community in an effort to ensure that all children are reached over the three day period from September 5 – 7. Afghanistan's rough terrain, and the fact that many small children remain within the household compounds throughout the day, makes access to families a challenge. Community Development CouncilsOn August 24, a delegation of USAID/Afghanistan representatives participated in the largest summit of locally elected Community Development Council representatives from Afghanistan’s provinces. For three days, approximately 300 councilmen and councilwomen met with Government of Afghanistan officials in Kabul to discuss the future role of these independent councils. Thus far, the role of the 8,600 councils is to identify local development needs, set priorities, make decisions about projects, and implement development initiatives at the local level. USAID supports the Community Development Councils, providing $100 million in 2004, and committing $250 million in 2005. Infrastructure Development in Nangahar ProvinceOn August 24, the Deputy Governor of Nangahar inaugurated several USAID-funded infrastructure projects in Nangahar’s Shamshapur village. Recently completed projects include a flood protection wall, bridge and 2 km road connecting numerous villages to the Surkh Rud district center. The new infrastructure will protect farmland and provide a safe route to transport produce to the market center, thereby strengthening the community’s economy. Security IncidentsNumber of Hostile Attacks Related Incidents: There has been a surge in security incidents leading up to the Provincial elections. They include kidnappings, night letters, and candidate intimidation. Kandahar Province: A provincial candidate and four of his supporters were kidnapped. Their condition or whereabouts is still unknown. Helmand Province: A Wolesi Jirga candidate was killed after his vehicle struck an IED/landmine. Ghor Province: A candidate had concerns for his personal safety after having received threats. Paktika Province: A candidate has made a number of threats to the locals that they should vote for him, threatening to kill them. The candidate is also known to have threatened 2 campaigners. Paktika Province: Candidates were given letters informing them to stop their Election Campaign or they will be responsible for what happens to them. Ghazni Province: A candidate received a phone call from someone impersonating UNOPS personnel asking about specific travel details. Candidate has concerns for his personal safety.
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