23 June 2010 - We are at the beginning of a process where Afghan institutions are running their own elections and doing this for the first time. The vetting of candidates was carried out, at their request, by the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Defence and the National Directorate of Security. Dari - Pashto

In accordance with Afghan electoral laws this information was then passed on to Afghanistan's electoral institutions – the Independent Election Commission (IEC) and the Electoral Complaints Commission (ECC) to act upon.

The final candidate list has been announced. Out of 2,577 candidates - 13 candidates appear to have been excluded for having links to illegal armed groups.

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Staffan de Mistura said: "The process of vetting has not produced a satisfactory result so far. The Independent Electoral Commission and the Electoral Complaints Commission have done their jobs in carrying out their part of the vetting process. The Vetting Committee could have done a more thorough job and at this stage we are disappointed. The ultimate word, and the ultimate vetting, is up to the Afghan voters, the electorate, as it is in any country. I understand that His Excellency President Karzai is equally concerned and planning to constructively and proactively attempt to address this issue."

The United Nations remains committed to supporting the IEC and ECC technically and logistically as required over the coming months.