On 2-3 December 2008 the NESA Center held its third in a series of Afghan Elections Planning Workshops bringing together various actors of the US interagency, international military partners, non-governmental organizations, and academia to discuss the security and planning coordination for the 2009 Afghan Presidential Elections. From the discussions held over these two days, Workshop Director Professor Bob Sharp drafted an opinion-editorial emphasizing the following requirements for a successful election:

• The creation of adequate security conditions before pressing on with holding the elections to ensure full participation and legitimacy.
• Enhanced civil society oversight and monitoring of the registration and electoral processes.
• The provision of adequate resources and support to strengthen and maintain the legitimacy and capacity of the Independent Elections Commission.
• Supporting the mobilization of civil society and public outreach.