KABUL - The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) welcomes the timely completion of the adjudication of complaints by the Independent Electoral Complaints Commission (IECC), and the announcement today of the final list of candidates for the country’s 2014 Presidential and Provincial Council polls by the Independent Election Commission (IEC) of Afghanistan.

"The completion of the candidate nomination period marks another important step for the Afghan people in the process of electing the country's next leader and Provincial Councils," said the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Ján Kubiš.

He also wishes the 11 Presidential candidates and the 2,713 Provincial Council candidates, with the latter including 308 women, a productive and fair campaign.

“The candidates and their supporters bear the responsibility of fully upholding Afghan electoral laws and other relevant electoral provisions, as well as international standards for peaceful, transparent, credible, inclusive and fair elections,” said Mr. Kubiš.

"I also urge the Afghan electoral and state bodies, and the candidates and their teams, to take all measures to ensure the election process and their conduct are marked by the highest degree of integrity, free from internal and external interference and fraud – all of which are so important for the acceptance and legitimacy of the outcome of the elections," the Special Representative added.