Strong opposition
Among its duties, parliament will confirm ministerial appointments, and other senior posts, including the leaders of the Supreme Court and Central Bank and the attorney general. The ability to call government ministers to account for their actions could give the parliament substantial power, some candidates have said.
Some candidates have already objected to Karzai's policies. Muhammad Yunus Qanooni, who was second in the presidential race, has formed a political bloc and said he wants to change the 2004 constitution to replace a presidential system of government with a parliamentary one. Other candidates have voiced strong opposition to the long-term presence of foreign troops in Afghanistan, and have criticized the work of international aid organizations.
Many big names from the last two decades of turbulent politics have registered as candidates or lead parties that are fielding candidates. A vetting procedure aimed at keeping out militia leaders eliminated only 11 low-level commanders. Former commanders and political leaders from the jihadi parties, religiously conservative parties that opposed communism, are expected to win many seats. Other former communists with checkered pasts and a handful of former Taliban officials are taking part.
The large number of candidates and an unusual electoral system, known as the Single Nontransferable Vote, which is more likely to allow fringe candidates to win seats, makes it far from clear what kind of parliament will be elected, Nathan said. "The voting system will be a lottery," she said.
Troops increased
In related news, Australia said yesterday it would increase the number of soldiers it is sending to war-torn Afghanistan to help prepare the country for elections next month.
Defense Minister Robert Hill announced during a visit to Canberra by Afghanistan's Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah that Australia's commitment of elite Special Air Service (SAS) troops would increase from 150 to 190.
The soldiers will arrive in early September in time for national parliamentary elections and will remain in the country for a year.
In late 2001 Australia deployed SAS soldiers to Afghanistan to help oust the fundamentalist Taliban regime which was harbouring al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.
Following a request from Afghanistan, Australia recently agreed to send some 150 elite soldiers to the country to help improve security before the September 18 elections.
Australia has provided some 110 million dollars (US$83.33 million) in reconstruction funding since the end of 2001 and was considering sending a second batch of soldiers to assist with reconstruction early in 2006, Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said.
Australia was also considering establishing an embassy in Afghanistan, he said.
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