The Afghan government would not be blocking Facebook during an ongoing deadlock over the election. This decision was made despite fears expressed by some that social media postings have caused ethnic hatred. In the country, the dispute between two candidates (Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah) over alleged fraud in the recent presidential election has triggered online exchanges between rival supporters. The security agencies are afraid that those may spill over into violence.

Ashraf Ghani is supported by the Pashtun tribes of the south and east, while Abdullah’s supporters are Tajiks and other northern Afghan groups. This situation echoes the ethnic divisions of the bloody 1992-96 civil war. As a result, the national security council discussed banning of the social network in their meeting. The fears were that there were people on Facebook who spread hatred and caused damage to national unity. However, after discussion, the council decided not to ban the website.

Industry experts point out that Internet use has rocketed in the country in recent years, and loyalists of both sides have been posting hostile messages and pictures since the fraud allegations emerged.

Several weeks ago, the UN issued a warning that the Internet activity in Afghanistan could cause civil unrest, pointing out that there has been a disturbing tone in some social media platforms. The United Nations urged the supporters of both sides to refrain from inflammatory statements, hate speech, or the statements that could promote divisive ethnic mobilization. The UN representative also added that some postings were rhetoric, which brought back memories of tragic conflicts two decades old that cost the lives of tens of thousands of civilians.

Abdullah Abdullah has vowed to reject the results of the election, alleging that he was the victim of the fraud and calling for a thorough audit of ballot papers. In response, Ghani claimed that he won fairly by at least 1 million votes and announced that the result must be released on schedule after previous delays. This dispute has thrown the country’s first democratic transfer of power into turmoil as American-led troops withdraw after dozen years of fighting the Taliban insurgents and with aid money to the country set to fall in coming years.

I think that banning Facebook is a little bit ridiculous if you ask me. Banning it violates a person's right to freedom of speech.