KABUL - The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) today donated 12 vehicles to the country’s Independent Election Commission (IEC) and Independent Electoral Complaints Commission (IECC).

“At their request, UNAMA is charged with supporting Afghan electoral authorities however it can – from technical advice to drawing on best practices from the UN’s experiences in other countries,” said the Secretary-General’s Deputy Special Representative and acting head of UNAMA, Nicholas Haysom, at a hand-over ceremony held in the capital, Kabul.

“In this instance, UNAMA has been asked for help with meeting pressing transportation needs and the Mission is happy to be in a position to do it in support of these organizations which have a critical role to play in making the elections happen on time and in a credible manner,” the UNAMA official added.

“Without the financial and technical support of international community, we would not be able to conduct this crucial and historical election,” the Director of the IEC Secretariat, Ziaul Haq Amarkhil, said at the hand-over ceremony.

“We also acknowledge the importance of the technical assistance of the United Nations in ensuring transparency in the upcoming elections,” added the Director of the IECC Secretariat, Dr. Ali Sategh.

Afghanistan is due to hold Presidential and Provincial Council elections on 5 April 2014, and UNAMA, as mandated by the UN Security Council, is committed to supporting the elections at the request of Afghan authorities and institutions.

Download UNAMA press statement in English | Dari | Pashto