70pc Afghans see elections best solution to conflict

KABUL, a survey shows.

Hadi Ayub, an analyst with the Afghanistan Strategic Studies Institute, disclosed the survey’s outcome, saying 1,500 people were interviewed in 34 provinces for the survey.

He said the participants answered questions regarding political solution, political discipline and legitimate system. Marital status, ethnicity and level of education were considered in the survey, he added.

He said most of the interviewees termed nation-wide election as the best option for political settlement between the Afghan government and the Taliban and they believed Taliban’s presence in the government was a logical way to resolve the conflict.

He said the participants rejected other options to resolve the conflict such as allowing the Taliban to enjoy free movement under their controlled areas or the Taliban and government agree to a power sharing formula.

Hadi said: “Most of the participants or 70 percent acknowledged nation-wide election as acceptable mechanism for the political solution of the ongoing conflict.”

In the survey, 3.6 percent participants who called themselves pro-Taliban termed nation-wide election as the best mechanism to end the war, but 41 percent pro-Taliban believed that power sharing between government and the Taliban was the best option to end the conflict.

Ayubi said contrary to expectations, 19 percent pro-Taliban participants believed that an interim government would be the best scenario to end the conflict.

According to the survey, 80 percent participants supported women’s education and their presence in media.

Seventy-eight percent participants said a government of elites who were criminals or involved in war crimes were not acceptable to them and 70 percent supported their trial.

Abdul Salaam Rahimi, state minister for peace, said the wisdom of masses had reached the level where they could take decision.

“If there is no international community in Afghanistan, these people could defend themselves and demand the Taliban to be logical,” he said.

He said a fresh national peace debate has been launched and added all sections of society and stakeholders would participate and their voices would reach the international community.

Without going into details, Rahimi said the Afghan government has prepared a peace roadmap which should be agreed upon.

This comes as talks between the US and the Taliban are underway and fresh reports indicate progress in these talks, but a final agreement is yet to be reached.

nh/ma