Individuals should know that they have a central role in the election and all the votes have value.

For this purpose, Pajhwok Afghan News will launch a series of reports that is based on the opinion, problems and demands of the people.

Pajhwok reporters will ask about the problems of the people, in order to let the candidates know directly about these issues so that the presidential candidates will explain how they can solve them.

The series aims to get original and direct information based on the daily life experiences of voters, positive as well as negative. Reporters will ask for their views and opinion about the topic, with details about the problems faced by them and what they see as solutions.

Selection of people for interviews
Interviews will be conducted in all the 34 provinces. As much as possible, Pajhwok will attempt to include a representative sample of voters: 50% women and 50% men; two-third villagers, one-third city people, five per cent Kuchis (nomads), 10% refugees and five per cent disabled. Ethnic groups will be interviewed in proportion to their numbers in that province. In this way the whole diversity of Afghan opinion will be represented, and all groups can consider themselves as part of the process and will take the reports as a voice of their own.

Interviews with women are difficult in Afghan society. However, Pajhwok will make diligent efforts to contact women, knowing that it is possible that women can be interviewed in public areas  and while keeping the culture and traditions of that area in mind.

As people from each and every age groups have their own demands and feelings, so interviews will be held with people from each age group in the interviews.

The ratio of interviews for people of different age groups should be approximately in accordance with the population as a whole:

• 38% between 18 and 29 years
• 26% between 30 and 39 years
• 20% between 40 and 49 years
• 10% between 50 and 59 years
• 6% above 60 years

Socioeconomic status is not always possible to ascertain, but education and employment will be kept in mind in the interviews. Efforts should be made while conducting the interviews that questions are asked proportionately from 25% educated and 75% uneducated people. 

The views of any individual person should not dominate a story, and each will be reported at a length of roughly 50 words.

Necessary Guidelines

Include the voice of the interviewee in the report. Include the stories of the interviewee to support the process and link it with the conclusion.

Talk to at least 10 people in a report. If possible, take direct statement and get photo of the individual.

Include topics which are important for women, children and families in the interviews with men as well as women, and in discussions of the candidates.

Encourage the voter to tell the positive elements about their lives.
Obtain direct quotes to present  to the candidates.
Give a suitable environment to the interviewee so that he/she feels at ease.  Explain how Pajhwok’s coverage of their views would help others in casting their votes.

Questions:

• How is your present life different than five years ago?
• How will you choose who to vote for among the candidates?
• How many among the 41 presidential candidates do you know?
• How do you decide and what qualities do you want to see in the candidates?
• What kind of information do you have about the candidates?
• What is the first most-important problem of the area where you are living now?
• What is your second most-important problem?
• Do you want to participate in the election for president and provincial councils?
• Why or why not?
• How much confidence do you have in the upcoming polls?
• If you get a chance to meet the next president, what will be your preferred (one) demand, message or criticism?