Head of the OSCE Election Support Team in Afghanistan issues statement on presidential election
(OSCE/Alexander Nitzsche)Pre-election posters in Kabul, 7 October 2004. Afghanistan held its first-ever presidential election on 9 October. (OSCE/Alexander Nitzsche) Photo details
KABUL, 10 October 2004 - Ambassador Robert Barry, the Head of the OSCE Election Support Team in Afghanistan, today issued the following statement:
"The OSCE's 40 election experts had the opportunity to evaluate preparations for elections as well voting on election day in all regions of the country. Based on reports from our own teams as well as information provided by the European Union election experts, domestic monitors and delegations from a number of countries, we concur with the Joint Election Management Body that the candidates' demand to nullify the election is unjustified. Such action would also put into question the expressed will of millions of Afghan citizens who came out to vote, carried out voter registration and manned the polling stations despite great personal risk.
It is clear from the reports of our own teams and others that there were irregularities on election day, including but not limited to the issue of indelible ink. Afghanistan's Electoral Law describes how to deal with such complaints As in other countries, there should be a thorough and transparent investigation, with the complainants offered an opportunity to present evidence in support of their claims. The Joint Election Management Body has offered such a process, and we urge that it be used.
October 9 was a historic day in Afghanistan, and the millions who came to the polls clearly wanted to turn from the rule of the gun to the rule of law. If their aspirations are to be met, disputes about the validity of election results should be dealt with as the law provides.
Our teams were deeply impressed by the fact that millions of Afghan men and women turned out yesterday in Iran and Pakistan as well as Afghanistan, waited patiently in line often in snow, rain, and dust, in the face of threats to their lives, and cast their votes with enthusiasm. We do not yet know what their choices are, but we know they should be respected".
"The OSCE's 40 election experts had the opportunity to evaluate preparations for elections as well voting on election day in all regions of the country. Based on reports from our own teams as well as information provided by the European Union election experts, domestic monitors and delegations from a number of countries, we concur with the Joint Election Management Body that the candidates' demand to nullify the election is unjustified. Such action would also put into question the expressed will of millions of Afghan citizens who came out to vote, carried out voter registration and manned the polling stations despite great personal risk.
It is clear from the reports of our own teams and others that there were irregularities on election day, including but not limited to the issue of indelible ink. Afghanistan's Electoral Law describes how to deal with such complaints As in other countries, there should be a thorough and transparent investigation, with the complainants offered an opportunity to present evidence in support of their claims. The Joint Election Management Body has offered such a process, and we urge that it be used.
October 9 was a historic day in Afghanistan, and the millions who came to the polls clearly wanted to turn from the rule of the gun to the rule of law. If their aspirations are to be met, disputes about the validity of election results should be dealt with as the law provides.
Our teams were deeply impressed by the fact that millions of Afghan men and women turned out yesterday in Iran and Pakistan as well as Afghanistan, waited patiently in line often in snow, rain, and dust, in the face of threats to their lives, and cast their votes with enthusiasm. We do not yet know what their choices are, but we know they should be respected".