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Afghanistan Parliamentary Elections (Wolesi Jirga) 2010
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ANFREL STATEMENT No. 1
9 September, 2010 |
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Following the assessment mission in
mid-July to Afghanistan for the deployment of international
observers, the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) is
deploying 22 observers to undertake observation functions, research
work and capacity building training for citizen observer groups in
the country. The 22 observers will be in Central, North and
North-East regions of Afghanistan until the end of September, 2010. |
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First and foremost, ANFREL would
like to compliment the Independent Election Commission (IEC) for its
hard work to improve the electoral processes and plugging the
loopholes that were there in the previous elections, and the
Election Complaint Commission (ECC) with it’s new line-up with task
to solve and overcome disputes and complains at the provincial
levels in a timely manner.
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Notwithstanding the security
concerns, owing primarily to threats from armed opposition groups,
which may prevent some polling centres from opening, the overall
scenario looks encouraging. Thus ANFREL welcomes the 18th September
Parliamentary Elections.
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We also express our deep
condolences for the lost of lives of those working in the elections
and condemn violence perpetrated to prevent freedom for candidates
to campaign and voters to participate; such action can only erode
the ongoing democratic processes of the country. ANFREL is asking
the government to provide functioning security parameter to
safeguard the sanctity of the election. We urge all stakeholders to
respect the democratic processes by allowing people to vote for
their representative in the Wolesi Jirga in order to sustain nation
building and move forward with reconciliation agenda.
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From the technical aspect of the
elections, we foresee the potentiality of frauds caused by multiple
voters – failure in utilizing the indelible ink and preventing
ballot tampering will add to the deteriorating security situation
across the country, and that the integrity of polling staffs will be
in question. The impartiality of the government which are also the
head of the provinces, head of districts and the role of police is
crucial in a fair election environment. We encourage any action
taken to discharge and remove those known to have link to the
candidates immediately.
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Finally, the Asian civil society
gathering in the ANFREL mission is supporting in full commitments of
all stakeholders including voters for free, fair and credible Wolesi
Jirga Election. We have seen positive development in women’s
participation and the Kuchi’s representation in the politics, right
to vote for prisoners and a sign of enthusiasm for high voters
turn-out more than in the 2009 Presidential Election. It is
important to have Vetting Commission set up to investigate and
disqualify candidates on the basis of link to illegal armed group
and to see the Independent Election Commission (IEC) maintains its
regulations on preventing multiple voters, phantom voting by having
ID cards punched and the use of indelible ink. It is welcoming news
that ballot papers will have water mark and serial numbers for each
polling centre and voter’s education materials are visible in many
areas.
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For further information please
contact Ichal Supriadi at +93706741850 or Tadzrul Adha at
+93706741834.
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