Statement by UN SRSG on elections

15 Jun 2009

Statement by UN SRSG on elections

14 June 2009 - The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG), Kai Eide, has met with Presidential candidates Dr. Ashraf Ghani and Dr. Abdullah Abdullah in separate meetings to discuss the election process.

 

The SRSG presented to them a set of “Essential Guidelines for Conduct during the Election Process”.

 

These guidelines have been issued by the SRSG and have been endorsed by the international community.

 

They have also been presented to President Hamid Karzai.

The aim of these guidelines is to ensure a fair and credible election campaign in which there is a level playing field.

 

The aim should be to avoid illegal interference into the election process and the impartiality of government institutions, election officials as well as representatives of the international community.

 

The guidelines are also intended to ensure fairness in media coverage of the campaign.

Both Dr. Abdullah and Dr. Ghani gave their support to the SRSG’s initiative and agreed to maintain a close dialogue with the SRSG during the election process.