Kabul, Afghanistan (BBN)- The top United Nations envoy to Afghanistan pledged to work with the country’s electoral authorities to ensure the sustainability, integrity and inclusiveness of future polls.
Ján Kubiš, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative and head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), discussed the mission’s mandate, particularly its role in the electoral process, when he met on Monday with the Chairman of the Independent Election Commission (IEC), Fazl Ahmad Manawi.
“I plan on being an active partner of the government, the institutions and the civil society of Afghanistan in working to strengthen the integrity of future polls,” Mr. Kubiš said, while at the same time stressing that the Afghan authorities would be the ones leading the electoral process.
During the meeting, Mr. Manawi outlined the IEC’s plans for public consultation on electoral issues with a wide spectrum of stakeholders and drew attention to the need to strengthen voter registration.
The UNAMA stressed in a statement that electoral planning and preparations are long-term processes which require a comprehensive and inclusive approach in working toward the next round of elections as mandated by the country’s constitution.
The UN also provides technical assistance to the IEC through a UN Development Program (UNDP) project that focuses on the development of the institutional, technical and operational capacity of the IEC during the period between elections.
BBN/SSR/AD-11Apr12-1:30 pm (BST)
