Throughout 2013, the UNDP project ‘Enhancing Legal and Electoral Capacity for Tomorrow, Phase II’ (ELECT II) has targeted its support to the electoral process in Afghanistan with a clear focus on the 2014 horizon, a crucial year in terms of both political and security transition. As a result, 2013 can be characterized as a momentous year, resulting in an improved foundation for the conduct of the 5 April, 2014 Presidential and Provincial Council elections.

Achievements that could potentially underscore more credible and inclusive elections include: an improved legal and regulatory framework; a new nine-member Board of Commissioners of the Independent Election Commission (IEC) appointed according to more inclusive procedures; and the establishment of a permanent five-member Independent Electoral Complaints Commission (IECC)1. Along with the issuance of an electoral timeline well in advance of the 2014 elections, these developments have charted a course for electoral preparations whereby the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GIRoA) has been increasingly aligning itself with electoral commitments agreed with international partners in the context of the Tokyo Mutual Agreement Framework (TMAF). As such, the successful conduct of the 2014 elections is a key milestone, and would represent the first peaceful transition of power in Afghanistan.