UN envoy in Afghanistan concerned that security will affect voter turn-out

10 Aug 2009

UN envoy in Afghanistan concerned that security will affect voter turn-out

9 August 2009 - The top United Nations envoy in Afghanistan said today that he was concerned that the insecurity around the country will affect the turn-out of voters for the 20 August presidential and provincial council elections.

 

In a joint press conference with the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC), Kai Eide, head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said: “Yes, of course, I am concerned that the security will affect the turnout on voting day.”

“There is no doubt about that. I have seen the mobilization and interest of the public during the campaign. It is, of course, sad that we have conflict ongoing in the country which will not allow all Afghan voters to come to the polling stations and do what they want to do, to give their vote and have their say (about) what the future of Afghanistan should be,” said Mr Eide.

The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Afghanistan called on all Afghans: “So my appeal to everybody is: Don’t block the road for Afghans, male or female, who want to do what the Constitution entitles that person to do.”

Today UNAMA and the head of the Human Rights Commission Dr Sima Samar, unveiled the latest joint monitoring report on the status of the political rights of candidates, voters and electoral workers during the campaign period from 16 June to 1 August.

In the 16-page report, the two bodies expressed concern over the “upward trend” in the incidence of intimidation by anti-government elements (AGE) during the election campaign period.

UNAMA and the AIHRC also noted the intimidation committed by rival candidates and their supporters.

“An upward trend in breaches of the principle of non-intimidation by anti-government elements (AGEs), as well as rival candidates and their supporters, is also of concern,” said the report.

“AGEs tend to be responsible for the majority of breaches of the principle of non-intimidation,” said the UNAMA-AIHRC report which also noted that the “breaches of the principle of impartiality, in particular the misuse of State resources and of official positions, have continued sporadically since the Nomination period.”

The report also found that the increasing insecurity has “severely limited freedom of movement and constrained freedom of expression for candidates and supporters, hampering their ability to campaign openly through public gatherings or door-to-door visits throughout their constituencies.”

“These restrictions have, in turn, created significant limitations on freedom of association and peaceful assembly, and amplified women’s difficulties in participating in the electoral process.

“The same limitations have posed challenges to the complaints process and preparations for Polling and Counting, including voter and civic education,” said the report.

UNAMA and the AIHRC noted that despite the insecure situation, “Afghans have demonstrated a high level of interest and enthusiasm to participate and to exercise their political rights in the upcoming Presidential and Provincial Council elections.”

“Though insecurity has posed a significant obstacle to the exercise of political rights during the Campaign period, political rights of candidates and their supporters have generally been respected despite isolated instances of documented violations,” said UNAMA and the AIHRC.

By Aurora V. Alambra, UNAMA

Full report: English - Dari - Pashto

Website: Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission