Study finds over 77% of Afghans are opposed to an interim govt

A new poll released on Wednesday found that more than 77 percent of Afghans are opposed to an interim government and that just over 10 percent are in favor of early elections.

Also on Wednesday, a senior source within government said that Afghan President Ashraf Ghani is ready to hold elections and that the pro-republican alignment of politicians is working on an independent peace plan.

“Although the president is willing to make concessions, which is an early election, this election would have its conditions and people’s advice must be sought,” said Mohammad Omar Daudzai, President Ashraf Ghani’s special envoy for Pakistan.

Meanwhile, according to the study, conducted by an independent organization – the House of Peace and Democracy – 77.6 percent of people oppose an interim government; 10.3 percent of people want early elections; 51 percent of people want the Taliban to merge with the government; and 40.6 percent of people are worried about the future of Afghanistan.

“Most people are worried about their fate after peace. People do not know what their future will be,” said Faramarz Tamanna, former director general of the center for strategic studies.

According to the poll, more than 53 percent of citizens have said interference of other countries in the peace talks is detrimental to the country; while 83 percent want a republican system and are against a Taliban-type Emirate system.

“The Taliban are killing innocent people, but the United States is making peace with this group. Most people do not believe in the Emirate system,” said Allah Mohammad Kakar, Executive Director of the House of Peace and Democracy.

The poll, conducted by the organization, found more than 12 percent of the government’s efforts for peace were a failure, and 10 percent of the people polled said Afghanistan was moving towards instability.