Major watchdogs call polls satisfactory

KABUL (Pajhwok): Two major Afghan electoral watchdogs on Saturday described as positive presidential and provincial council elections in the country.

The Free and Fair Election Foundation of Afghanistan (FEFA) acknowledged people’s enthusiastic participation in the democratic exercise.

FEFA head Nader Naderi told Pajhwok Afghan News: “The day passed off peacefully, with the voter turnout higher than in previous elections.”

People took part in the elections in numbers larger than expected, he believed. “They flocked to poll stations and exercised their voting right,” he noted.

Despite rains and threats of attacks, the Afghans turned out to cast their ballots, Naderi said, adding the overall process was conducted satisfactorily.

By the same token, the Transparent Election Foundation of Afghanistan (TEFA) also said their observers suggested the election process was positive.

According to a statement from TEFA, a report on the ongoing vote count and closure of polling sites in some areas would be presented on Sunday.

About 7,000 observers monitored the election in all 34 provinces of the country, the statement said, adding some polling sites faced a lack of ballot papers.

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