KABUL - The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan, Staffan de Mistura, in a meeting with Afghan President Hamid Karzai today, agreed to recommend the commencement of technical and logistical assistance by the international community for parliamentary elections to be held on 18 September 2010.

Mr de Mistura noted that President Karzai had now appointed a chairman of the Independent Election Commission, Fazel Ahmed Manawi.

In addition, the President confirmed the appointment of two international members to the five-member Electoral Complaints Commission (ECC), as proposed by the UN envoy. The two nominated Commissioners are Judge Johann Kriegler of South Africa, former Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa and former member of the Constitutional Court of South Africa, and Mr Safwat Sidqi from Iraq, former member of the Independent Electoral Commission for Iraq.

Mr de Mistura noted with satisfaction that decisions by the ECC will be taken with the endorsement of at least one of these two members. This clarification of the ECC membership is consistent with the spirit of the wishes of Afghan leadership as expressed during the London Conference of January 2010 and with full respect for all Afghan institutions.

Special Representative Mr de Mistura said he was pleased to note that an article regarding women’s seats in the Parliament has been clarified, in order to ensure that the minimum number of women parliamentarians will be guaranteed in accordance with the Constitution.

“I want to congratulate President Karzai for his wise decision to agree to guidelines aimed at ensuring more credible and transparent elections. I am satisfied that I can now recommend to the donor community that plans for the upcoming elections merit their release of funds so that technical and logistical support to the elections can begin,” Mr de Mistura said following the meeting today.