UN hopes for more transparency in runoff vote

KABUL (Pajhwok): The United Nations, welcoming the final presidential election results, on Thursday urged the poll panels to make efforts for greater transparency in the runoff vote.

“I encourage the IEC said.

Ján Kubiš, the secretary-general’s special representative for Afghanistan, asked the electoral bodies to make more efforts to improve communication by responding quickly to issues raised by the candidates and observers.

In a statement from the UN mission, he recognised the role of Afghan observers in preventing and detecting fraud, noting that their role would remain critical in the next round, scheduled for mid-June.

“I hope that the prevailing respectful tone seen in the first round is preserved in the weeks ahead. Candidates have a responsibility to call on their supporters to refrain from inflammatory rhetoric, intimidation, and threats.”

UNAMA STRESSED government and electoral officials involved in fraud must be held accountable for their actions and referred to the judiciary for criminal prosecution under the law.

It congratulated the Afghan people, candidates and electoral and security institutions on the democratic milestone, hoping for voters’ enthusiastic participation in the run-off.

“Afghans can justifiably be proud of their elections. On election day, Afghan men and women demonstrated their desire to live in peace, dignity and prosperity. Democratic choice prevailed over violence and coercion.”

pr/mud

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