The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said in a statement late Saturday night it was encouraged by the high numbers of Afghans who turned out to vote in Saturday’s elections but also called on the people to report any suspicions of fraud to the Electoral Complaints Commission.
In their statement, UNAMA said millions of Afghan citizens braved security threats and, due to technical electoral management issues, waited long hours to cast their votes. “Those voters deserve to be commended for carrying out their civic duty. Those eligible voters who were not able to cast their vote, due to technical issues, deserve the right to vote,” read the statement.
UNAMA also said it had noted electoral officials had taken steps to ensure that no eligible voter be denied their right to vote and that plans were being put in place to enable citizens of Kandahar to vote next Saturday, read the statement.
“It is now imperative that the country’s electoral authorities – both the Independent Election Commission (IEC) and the Electoral Complaints Commission (EEC) – re-double their efforts to make sure all eligible voters are given a reasonable opportunity to cast their ballot.
“All Afghan authorities and actors – including political parties, the government, candidates and security institutions – must demonstrate their commitment to safeguarding and completing the elections, and to protecting the integrity of the process, especially with regard to tabulating and announcing the results,” the statement added.
UNAMA said it had also noted that election authorities have put in place numerous anti-fraud measures, and up to 400,000 observers and candidates’ agents, as well as political parties monitors, monitored the process in order to ensure the transparency of the elections.
In conclusion the UN said it encourages observer organizations, political parties, candidates and voters to play an active, informed and constructive role in the days ahead to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process as votes are tallied.
They also said any citizen suspecting or witnessing fraud has a civic obligation to file a complaint with the relevant Afghan authorities, especially the Electoral Complaints Commission (ECC) and where credible allegations are made, Afghan law enforcement agencies should investigate and if necessary detain and prosecute those responsible.
On Saturday night, the IEC chief acknowledged there had been technical challenges and that a few hundred polling centers had not opened.
He said that of the 5,074 polling centers, 401 did not open, but these excluded Kandahar.
Abdul Badi Sayyad said that the 401 centers, including 45 in Kabul, would be open on Sunday for people to vote.
Elections in Kandahar were postponed last week following the assassination of the provincial police chief Gen. Abdul Raqiz.