UNAMA welcomes the National Unity Government’s commitment to hold elections

2 Jan 2016

UNAMA welcomes the National Unity Government’s commitment to hold elections

KABUL - The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) welcomes the announcement of the National Unity Government to hold parliamentary and district council elections in the second half of 2016.

The 29 December statements by President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, made during the presentation of the final recommendations of the Special Electoral Reform Commission, are an expression of the Government’s will to hold elections on the basis of reforms to be implemented in the coming months.

UNAMA notes that, as reaffirmed by the National Unity Government, the institution responsible for the conduct of elections, including the development of an operational timeline and the announcement of an election date, is the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).

UNAMA is pleased to note the start of the work of the Selection Committee, instructed by the President to nominate election commissioners.

The Mission reiterates that comprehensive electoral reforms are essential to restoring the confidence of the Afghan people in the democratic process and electoral institutions. UNAMA calls on the Afghan authorities to make timely decisions to strengthen the integrity, inclusiveness and sustainability of the electoral process, on the basis of the recommendations of the Special Electoral Reform Commission.

The reform process remains Afghan-owned and Afghan-led. UNAMA stands ready to continue to provide its good offices to support the National Unity Government and the people of Afghanistan.