The Taliban Response to Afghanistan's Runoff Elections
By Evan Kohlmann
The NEFA Foundation has obtained a communication from the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (the Taliban) titled “Regarding the Runoff Elections,” which noted that runoff elections are being held again to “keep the attention of our countrymen and the public of the world diverted in order to hide their defeat at the military field." The Taliban instructed their countrymen to “avoid participating in the deceitful and foreign-made electoral process. On the command of your belief and the Afghani conscience, you should completely boycott the elections on the basis of the rule of Sharia." Further, “All Mujahideen should make efforts to foil this wicked process; should carry out operations against their centers; prevent people from participating in the elections and block all roads and paths for all public and government vehicles one day before the day of the polling and inform people about this. Similarly, with the help of religious scholars, clerics and elders, educate people about the clandestine motives behind the elections. Create awareness among people regarding the conspiracies of the enemy." According to the statement, “The Mujahideen of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan have worked out programs to foil and prevent this process. They closely monitor all workers, officials and voters…”
The complete English-language text of the Taliban response can be accessed via the NEFA Foundation website.
