2 August 2009 - The UN’s top envoy in Afghanistan has tested the indelible ink to be used in the country’s forthcoming elections.

Officials from Afghanistan’s Independent Election Commission applied the special ink to Special Representative Kai Eide’s right hand index finger.

The ink failed to be rubbed off after Mr Eide tried a number of soaps and other cleansing materials to see if the ink could be removed; the Election Commission says the ink will take one week to be erased from voters’ fingers.

Speaking after the ink test Mr Eide urged Afghans to sustain their interest in the election process.

He said he was enthusiastic about the great interest recently shown by Afghans in their country’s election process, and said “it is important that in the three remaining weeks, we see continued engagement by the public…”

Mr Eide, who is also the head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) earlier called on candidates to conduct dignified campaigns by not resorting to incendiary language.

He also noted: “It is my assessment that what we have seen has been, by and large, a dignified political campaign.

“And let me go one step further. We have never witnessed such a vibrant political debate in this country; we have never seen such involvement by the public as we have seen this week…” Mr Eide said.

Reiterating that he shares Afghan concerns about election irregularities, Mr Eide added that “it is critically important that in the next three weeks, we see a continuation of the political debate.”

This even as he hoped that the debates will not be focused on irregularities and accusations: “It is important that we all share the responsibility of ensuring a stable environment (for the elections),” said the UNAMA head as he stressed that the election results have to accepted by the people.

Mr Eide also called on the media to realize that it was “tremendously important” that they avoid using incorrect or misleading information that could affect the election process.

“There has been much talk about fraud but there are a number of measures set in place to avoid fraud on election day, and these measures are based on international best practices to avoid fraud and to detect fraud,” assured Mr Eide.

“So let me repeat, everything is being done in order to detect irregularities,” he said, adding that the election commission, the security institutions and the United Nations “are doing everything” to prevent fraud and other election violations, including the relocation of some polling stations.

In addition to the forthcoming elections the UN’s Special Representative also revealed his concern for detainees, and committed to visit more detention centres around the country in the coming weeks.

He called for the recognition of the rights of detainees, including access to information on the whereabouts of their respective families.

By Aurora V. Alambra, UNAMA

Website: Afghanistan Independent Election Commission