Elections

COMBAT OUTPOST MIZAN, Afghanistan -- An Afghan National Police officer peaks in a window to listen to a shura in progress at the Mizan District Center, Mizan District, Zabul Province, Aug. 28, 2010. Mizan district officials invited local elders to the shura to discuss the upcoming provincial parliamentary elections and encourage residents to vote. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Nathanael Callon/Released)

Saturday we went to a shura at the Mizan District Center to hear about the upcoming provincial parliamentary elections. About 95% or these shuras are centered around the PRT, whether we want it to or not. This really annoys me, especially if we were going there just to listen and observe. Let me just say that I was pleasantly surprised. Although they asked the PRT to say a few words, the district officials actually took the initiative and led the entire shura by themselves! Now that's what I'm talking about!

A lot of elders came out for the shura, coming come even two valleys over. I am not sure if they were interested in the actual election or just wanted to figure out what the hell an election is. Talking to many of the locals on patrols makes me think the latter is probably more plausible. Many of the people I've talked to are either indifferent about the elections or didn't even know an election was coming up. Sometimes I wonder if they know there is a government in the province.

The shura went pretty smooth. Noor Mohammed, the district chief for Mizan, spoke about the elections and why it is important that they vote. The ANP chief also spoke to the crowd about security.

Some expressed their concern that the Taliban might try to harm them if they voted.

The ANA commander assured them that the Afghan National Security Forces, along with coalition forces, would do their best to keep the Taliban from harming their families.

COMBAT OUTPOST MIZAN, Afghanistan -- Mizan District Chief Noor Mohammed speaks to local elders during a shura at the Mizan District Center, Mizan District, Zabul Province, Aug. 28, 2010. Mizan district officials invited local elders to the shura to discuss the upcoming provincial parliamentary elections and encourage residents to vote. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Nathanael Callon/Released)

COMBAT OUTPOST MIZAN, Afghanistan -- A local Afghan elder listens as Mizan District Chief Noor Mohammed speaks during a shura at the Mizan District Center, Mizan District, Zabul Province, Aug. 28, 2010. Mizan district officials invited local elders to the shura to discuss the upcoming provincial parliamentary elections and encourage residents to vote. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Nathanael Callon/Released)

The government in Mizan is making many steps to legitimize itself in the eyes of the locals here, and the attendance mirrors it. Although there are still many Taliban strongholds in the area, the influence has to start somewhere, and that is exactly what they are doing.