Executing Host Nation Elections in a Post-Conflict Environment: The CJTF's Role

摘要

Recent conflicts in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq have shown that elections are a critical element in the success of post- conflict operations and the transitioning of a host nation to a democratic form of governance. Combined Joint Task Forces (CJTFs) are often required to support or lead host nation elections. While the CTJF had a supporting role in the Afghanistan elections, in Iraq (as in Bosnia-Herzegovina in 1996), the CJTF took the lead in the planning, preparation, and execution of national elections. In most prior conflicts, the international community led by the United Nations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) worked with the host nation in the electoral process. In the future, militaries should be prepared to lead or support actions involved in the electoral process in the event that NGOs and international organizations cannot do so. Although FM 3-07.31 'Peace Ops, Multiservice Tactics, Techniques and Procedures for Conducting Peace Operations,' provides some guidance, there is no well-defined civil-military framework for a CJTF to follow in planning and executing elections. Whenever possible, CJTFs should take a supporting role in the process. But because of the strategic importance of elections, the CJTF's support must be maximized for mission success. This monograph presents a framework for a CJTF to follow in supporting or executing elections in a post-conflict environment.