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March 2, 2009

Karzai Attempts to Move Up Afghan Election
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In Afghanistan, President Hamid Karzai is coming under intense criticism
from opponents for trying to move the Afghan presidential election to
next month, four months earlier than an election date set by the
country’s Independent Election Commission. Karzai’s move is seen as an
attempt to guarantee his re-election. One presidential candidate, former
Finance Minister Ashraf Ghani, said, “A very dangerous first step has
been taken that, if it’s not checked, could lead us to the very
unfortunate situation of Kenya or Zimbabwe. This is a very perilous
position that we have to avoid.” UN officials said it would be
impossible to have even paper ballots in time for an election for next
month.



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