Skip to main content

Afghanistan Elections

From preliminary results 40% to 50% of 15 million registered voters in Afghanistan actually turned up to vote. The total population of Afghanistan is 33.6 million, only 7 million people actually voted, and these people must have been from low or medium risk areas: see the electoral security map on BBC. Citizens that live in areas of Taliban control were probably denied their right to go to the polls. Are these election results accurate under these circumstances? Are these results even statistical valid given the population spread, and war operations in the country? The Independent Election Commission of Afghanistan thinks so and the Afghan Electoral Complaints Commission claims to received a total of 433 complaints during the last two months. I am still not convinced.
There are also international observers that monitored the elections and will comment on the results, see the UNDP Elect and the UNAMA.
I also came across the "International Security Assistance Force" which I must say has one interesting looking logo (A green smiley face)
http://www.bundeswehr.de/fileserving/PortalFiles/C1256EF40036B05B/W27J5H7D806INFODE/isaf_logo_640.jpg
This clip explains how ISAF forces ensure election security.

And another clip: "Afghans Go to the Polls". Notice how both NATO videos are produced as short public service documentaries.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

John Kerry and Digital Diplomacy

John Kerry delivered his first remarks as the new U.S. Secretary of State. In his first speech at the State Department, he noted :  "...We get to talk about empowering people through our ideals, and through those ideals hopefully they can change their lives..." This is really important to underline;  given that public diplomacy now has a much more crucial role to play. In utilising new and social media, people now have the opportunity to engage through digital diplomacy.  As Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Tara Sonenshine has said :  "...we have to introduce more and more virtual exchanges and the use of social media particularly to reach young people where they are..." Secretary Kerry Tours the Ops Center Also, I came across a tweet from the State Department which informed that #SecKerry will be tweeting from the  +U.S. Department of State  twitter account . #SecKerry will start tweeting fr...
Post a Comment
Read more

Social Media for Communication & Conflict Resolution

I came across an OSCE update on facebook asking: "Can social media help us prepare for peace?" In the new Report " Preparing for peace Communications in conflict resolution " the OSCE explains the role of Social Media in conflict resolution, detailing challenges and opportunities. OSCE/Curtis Budden Definitely recommending reading this OSCE publication. It is great that an Organization such as the OSCE is keeping active in Social Media, and at the same time "Mapping the blogosphere, reporting on negotiations, using social media to overcome divides" . Credit to the OSCE PPIS, Ireland’s 2012 OSCE Chairmanship, the US Mission to the OSCE and the Permanent Mission of Lithuania to the OSCE.  Having worked for the OSCE in 2009 , I launched the official OSCE presence on facebook and twitter , along with Issuu . It was an excellent start, and I am happy to see that the team in PPIS are keeping up with the OSCE presence in Social Media and are launc...
Post a Comment
Read more

#debate politics and new media communications

I must say that I enjoyed watching the first debate between the nominees for President of the United States. It was quite clear from the start that Romney was in charge, and President Obama seemed settled in reciting talking points. Some of my tweets included:  To start, disappointed with @ barackobama - @ mittromney is doing a good job. — Vas Gkinopoulos (@VasGk) October 4, 2012 hmm @ mittromney is definitely in control of the #debate — Vas Gkinopoulos (@VasGk) October 4, 2012 I was quite surprised to read some articles on social media and politics, that suggested TV debates were obsolete, or that it was an "old media" approach to political campaigning. Such smug approaches are missing the point. The statistics show 10.3 million Tweets in 90 minutes. An amazing number that not only is a first in presidential debates, it makes the #debates more dynamic than ever! So I look forward to the next 3 debates for 2012.  Internet engagement makes the #debates ever more impor...
Post a Comment
Read more