UN notes election security preparations

KABUL (UNAMA) on Thursday said despite security challenges progress was being made by security forces in creating conditions for citizens to exercise their right to vote.

“Afghans are in the lead on providing security for the elections process,” said the Secretary-General’s Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan and acting head of UNAMA, Nicholas Haysom.

In a statement from the UN mission, he said: “The Afghan security forces have demonstrated their increased capabilities in the extensive preparations undertaken to give those Afghans who wish to vote the opportunity to do so.”

Haysom emphasized that Afghans should not be intimidated or denied their right to choose their leaders and shape the country’s future by the enemies of democracy.

He made the comments following a meeting on Wednesday with Minister of the Interior Mohammad Omar Daudzai. They discussed security preparations for the landmark Presidential and Provincial Council polls slated for 5 April.

While fulfilling their critical role in providing security to the process, UNAMA notes that the Afghan security forces also have a responsibility to remain politically impartial in discharging their duties.

“As the security guardians of the vote, Afghan security forces must act in the national interest,” Haysom said. “This would include remaining completely impartial between candidates and allowing access to the electoral process by independent observers and candidate and political party agents.”

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