(MENAFN- Daily Outlook Afghanistan) KABUL - The UN AssistanceMission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has praised efforts by the electoralauthorities, as well as security forces and others, to conduct the presidentialelections under challenging circumstances.
In the interest of enabling alleligible Afghans to exercise their constitutional right to vote, UNAMA urgedthe Independent Election Commission (IEC) and the Electoral ComplaintsCommission (ECC), civil society, candidates and other stakeholders to redoubletheir efforts before polls opened.
'An emphatic message fromdelegates at last week's UN Security Council session on Afghanistan was thatthe international community fully supports presidential elections taking placeon 28 September, said Tadamichi Yamamoto, the secretary-general's specialrepresentative.
A statement, UNAMA called thecredibility of any election the collective responsibility of all stakeholders,not solely that of the IEC and ECC.
Candidates, civil society organisations,media, ulema and others had important roles to perform, not least in looking tomobilise the electorate in exercising their democratic right to cast theirballot, it added.
No one has the authority todisenfranchise the Afghans who are registered to vote, according to thestatement, which underlined the link between a fair ballot and democracy.
'Credible elections lie at theheart of any democracy, and the right to vote is in many ways a key symbol ofthe democratic progress made in Afghanistan over the last 18 years, saidYamamoto.
'Voting is not just a matter ofcivic responsibility; it is a way of protecting the achievements made inAfghanistan and showing support for peaceful political processes.
UNAMA affirmed its commitmentto doing all within its authority to support the IEC and ECC in the conduct ofa credible, transparent and inclusive election.
Candidates were reminded toaccredit their agents before the September 21 deadline so they could have eyesand ears on the voting, and played a responsible role in safeguarding theintegrity of the electoral process.
All candidates and voters wereurged to play their part in safeguarding the integrity of the election and torefrain from engaging in any electoral irregularities.
In case of credible room forconcern about the commission of irregularities, the ECC should be immediatelycontacted to carry out expeditious and proper investigations, the statementsaid.
The mission commended the workof the security forces in supporting the elections, safeguarding thedistribution of sensitive materials and ensuring the security of the pollinglocations on and before election day so that all Afghans, including women,could participate. (Pajhwok)
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