KABUL - The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) fully supports the reaffirmation today by Afghanistan’s Independent Election Commission (IEC) of its definitive decision that it will conduct the 18 September Wolesi Jirga elections based on the final list of polling centres it published on 18 August this year.

Implementing the election according to this final, published list of polling centres is essential for the effective conduct and transparency of the elections.

The IEC has made significant progress in its operational and logistical preparations for the election based on this final list of polling centres. Polling materials, including sensitive materials such as ballot papers, have been securely packed and transported to the provinces according to this list. The IEC has recruited and trained staff to work in these polling centres. And independent elections observers and monitors have made their plans according to this list.

Security of the sensitive polling materials, including ballot papers, depends on maintaining this list so that the IEC can keep track of all materials at all times. This is a significant improvement on fraud control mechanisms compared to the 2009 elections.

We are aware of the efforts of the IEC and the Afghan security forces to establish as many secure polling centres as possible, to ensure that voters are able to vote. While it is a difficult decision not to open polling centres in certain locations, we agree with the decision of the IEC to protect the security of voters, electoral workers and the secure and effective scrutiny of polling centres and voting procedures, including at all times the sensitive polling materials.

The 18 September Wolesi Jirga elections can and must be an important step in strengthening democratic institutions in Afghanistan and an opportunity for the people of Afghanistan to exercise their democratic rights.