Karzai Likely to Accept Runoff

by: Richard Allen Smith

Tue Oct 20, 2009 at 10:30:00 AM EDT


As reported last week, current Afghan President Hamid Karzai has had enough votes rejected in his reelection bid to necessitate a runoff with Abdullah Abdullah. The Washington Post today reports that Karzai is likely to accept this runoff.

As I think through this scenario, I'm wondering exactly what it means. Does Karzai's decision indicate that he is acknowledging the widespread fraud that occurred in the election? Even more troubling, does it mean that he is confident that he can pull of an equivalent level of fraud a second time? Does Karzai's acceptance of a runoff give the election more legitimacy, or less?

Regardless of the answers to those questions, the runoff is expected to be held on November 7. Let's hope it results in a clear and legitimate vision for Afghanistan's future.

Richard Allen Smith :: Karzai Likely to Accept Runoff
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Karzai and Kerry Press Conference (0.00 / 0)
This story has a video link to the presser in the banner:

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/...

From the NYT:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10...

Commentary on Kerry's role:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITI...


Video link in the banner is to Abdullah Abdullah (0.00 / 0)
the Karzai-Kerry link is in the story

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