KABUL - The United Nations political chief has said that inclusion and integrity of the upcoming Presidential and Provincial Council elections, slated for 5 April, go hand-in-hand to build credibility of the Afghan vote.

In an interview with the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) at the end of his two-day visit to the country, the Under Secretary-General for UN’s political affairs, Jeffery Feltman, said the election is a new opportunity for Afghanistan to engage with the international community for a long-term partnership.

“I know you have security challenges here but that inclusion question is very, very important... The second issue, besides inclusion, is integrity of the system,” said Mr. Feltman, who left the country today.

“Right now you have 11 candidates [for the President]. Ultimately, only one candidate is going to win. The other candidates and their supporters need to accept results, need to see that the results are credible. That credibility rests on inclusion of voters and rests on integrity of the system.”

The UN official, who oversees and coordinates UN electoral assistance globally, noted that the election is an opportunity for the people and the Government of Afghanistan “to send a signal internationally that we will maintain the focus on the type of partnership that Afghanistan likes to see going forward.”

This was Mr. Feltman’s first visit to Afghanistan since assuming the UN’s top political position in July 2012.

UN officials have previously said that successful conduct of the April elections, which will mark the first ever transfer of power from one elected president to another in the country’s history, is critical to continued international assistance and the future stability of the country.

The world body is providing technical assistance in the organization of the elections, as requested by the Afghan authorities.

In the interview, Mr. Feltman also noted that there is a strong partnership between the United Nations; the political mission [UNAMA]; agencies, funds and programmes; and the people and Government of Afghanistan.

Despite “heavy competition” for resources globally, he said “all eyes are on Afghanistan right now” because of the upcoming elections.

Stressing the UN’s long-term commitment in Afghanistan, Mr. Feltman said that Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is committed to a long-term partnership with the people of Afghanistan.

“The [UN] agencies, funds and programmes; various parts of the [UN] Secretariat, the political mission itself, UNAMA – all of these UN components are committed to a long-term partnership with the people and Government of Afghanistan,” he said.

“I do go back to New York with a personal commitment to do what I can to maintain strong partnership between the UN and the people of Afghanistan.”

According to a UNAMA news release, Mr. Feltman, during his visit, held meetings with officials of the Independent Election Commission (IEC), Independent Electoral Complaints Commission (IECC), the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission and the diplomatic corps present in Kabul.

“In his meetings, Mr. Feltman discussed different aspects of the UN support to the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and its people at the time of the elections as the country is going through political and security transitions. He stressed that the UN will continue to be a close, reliable and sincere partner of the country,” said the news release.

He also paid a brief visit to the northern Afghan City of Mazar-e-Sharif, where he met with UN staff and the Provincial Governor, Atta Mohammad Noor.