Election Programme Support Services, Afghanistan
Location: Afghanistan
Client: Government and multi-lateral clients
Outline: We became involved in reconstruction assignments immediately in the post conflict phase. Following a number of important successes, we were asked by our client to provide the necessary facilities throughout the country to support the grand tribal council meetings known as the Emergency Loya Jirga, as well as the ensuing Constitutional Loya Jirga. We provided the programme design and management for a democracy and governance initiative, providing direct liaison and co-ordination, communications, logistics and security services to ensure the success of these country-wide assemblies.
Later, with the first open Presidential elections underway, we were again asked to assist in the success of the country’s first free elections. Our immediate task was to conduct an initial census to provide the data for voter registration; no easy task in a country with a highly dispersed population located across hostile terrain. Our personnel visited every town and every village counting, checking and providing candidate information. To enable the voting, we organised air and land logistics and security for the candidates, locating and constructing polling stations as well as overseeing the movement of ballot boxes. It was a unique and complex challenge and one that relied heavily on our experience and deep understanding of the country and its culture.
Outcome: As a non-aligned organisation we are in a singular position to be able to work between diverse stakeholders. In Afghanistan, we mediated between governments, UN departments, Coalition forces and the local tribal leaders to bring about successful results.