Afghans lay groundwork for 2014 election Karzai and his aides have sought to reassure the anxious nation and its international backers that he will abide by the law and leave office on schedule. A successful election - meaning one relatively free of fraud and violence - is considered crucial to ensuring Afghan stability as international troops begin withdrawing next year. "Nothing should hinder the elections," Karzai declared at a conference here recently, adding that Afghanistan, which has been whipsawed between communist, warlord and Islamist rule since the 1980s, should not have to undergo political "experiments" every few years. "The constitution should be implemented and the elections held on time," he said. The president urged the country's political groups to unite behind a few viable candidates, and he vowed to accept the winner. "He will be sitting in the chair where I am sitting now," Karzai said. If he seeks consultation, I will go with respect and honor to offer him advice. Otherwise, I will be sitting at home quietly. Yet doubts persist, and speculation continues that Karzai, who narrowly won reelection in 2009 in a vote that was tainted by allegations of fraud, will find a way to manipulate next year's election or even replace it with a tribal gathering that could decide to keep him in office. Some critics say he fears being held accountable for official corruption; others say he simply believes he is indispensable. The greatest danger, analysts and diplomats here said, is that if the elections do not produce a credible government, it will leave the nation adrift and strengthen the hand of the Taliban and other insurgents who have benefited from public alienation from the state, just as the great bulk of Western military forces are leaving for good. One source of critics" ammunition is that Karzai, despite his rhetorical support for the election process, has either opposed or delayed several electoral reforms that would have helped guarantee a fair process, including an electronic voter ID card. He has also failed to name new members of the national election commission, which was accused of favoritism in 2009. "Increasingly, people don't believe Mr. Karzai is willing to let the office go," said Ahmad Nader Nadery, director of the nonprofit Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit and an official of the independent Free and Fair Election Foundation. Why is he not naming a new commission chairman? Why is he not supporting a new electoral law? People compare his rhetoric with his lack of support for reforms, and that creates doubt.