A U.N.-backed election commission has determined that neither of the two leading candidates received a majority of votes. According to unnamed officials, President Hamid Karzai, the incumbent, has received 47 percent of the vote. That finding could result in a runoff between Karzai and his leading opponent, Abdullah Abdullah.
We speak with Ambassador Peter Galbraith to find out more about the election results. Until last month, he was the number two ranking official at the United Nations office in Kabul. He was abruptly recalled after pushing internally for the U.N. to take fraud charges in the Afghan elections more seriously. We’re also joined by Alexander Thier, director for Afghanistan and Pakistan at the U.S. Institute of Peace.
At The World, we believe strongly that human-centered journalism is at the heart of an informed public and a strong democracy. We see democracy and journalism as two sides of the same coin. If you care about one, it is imperative to care about the other.
Every day, our nonprofit newsroom seeks to inform and empower listeners and hold the powerful accountable. Neither would be possible without the support of listeners like you. If you believe in our work, will you give today? We need your help now more than ever!