KABUL - The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) encourages steps taken by Afghan electoral institutions to continuously increase transparency around the counting of votes from the country’s Presidential elections.

“The Afghan electoral institutions should be commended for their efforts to make the electoral process more transparent than ever before and be encouraged to take further proactive steps in this direction," said Ján Kubiš, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan and head of UNAMA. "Openness and a willingness to have observers, candidate agents and other parties scrutinize the process at every step is of critical importance. Constant communication with the candidates and the public is another essential requirement."

Mr. Kubiš was speaking after a meeting of the Chairs of the Independent Election Commission (IEC) and the Independent Electoral Complaints Commission (IECC) with the diplomatic community in Kabul. The heads of diplomatic missions expressed their commitment to respect Afghan ownership of the electoral process, appreciation of the electoral institutions work to date and pledged their continuous support.

"I am encouraged by the electoral institutions’ resolve to closely coordinate their work to ensure that all complaints are addressed and adjudicated according to Afghan laws. The vote must be duly audited and the integrity of the electoral process must be safeguarded." said Mr. Kubiš. The electoral institutions must strive to respect electoral deadlines, while prioritizing their fundamental duty to ensure due process and the delivery of justice to the Afghan people with full impartiality, integrity and transparency.

The IECC is tasked with adjudicating complaints regarding the preliminary results from the 5 April polls. Only after the adjudication is completed will the IEC announce the final results, scheduled to take place on 14 May.

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