Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

World Video | Defence | Foreign Affairs | Natural Events | Trade | NZ in World News | NZ National News Video | NZ Regional News | Search

 

Efforts to begin audit of Afghan presidential run-off vote

UN mission welcomes efforts to begin audit of Afghan presidential run-off vote

14 July 2014 – The top United Nations official in Afghanistan has hailed the efforts by the country’s Independent Election Commission (IEC) to start the implementation of an audit plan to help resolve concerns over the results of the presidential run-off poll.

“The Commission (has) started already discussions on how to quickly start the implementation of this really unprecedented full audit of all the ballots cast,” Ján Kubiš, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative and head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), told a news conference in the capital, Kabul, yesterday.

The audit plan, facilitated by the United States Secretary of State, John Kerry, was announced on Saturday at a press conference attended by the two presidential candidates, Abdullah Abdullah and Ashraf Ghani, as well as Mr. Kerry and Mr. Kubiš.

For weeks, both presidential candidates had requested a full investigation of serious and credible allegations of fraud and have strongly urged measures that would separate fraudulent ballots from valid votes. UNAMA had shared these concerns and supported an extensive and thorough investigation and audit.

Agreed on by both of the candidates, the plan involves a complete audit of the results of the run-off held on 14 June – roughly eight million ballots – to be held in Kabul with monitoring by national and international observers, as well as the formation of a government of national unity, among other points.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

On Sunday, UNAMA forwarded the agreed audit framework and procedures, including an audit checklist, to the IEC and the Independent Electoral Complaints Commission (IECC).

Mr. Kubiš told reporters yesterday that UN will be advising and providing its good offices in support of the audit plan. As part of its support, the UN Department of Political Affairs has deployed the Director of the Electoral Assistance Division, Craig Jenness, to Afghanistan.

ENDS


© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
World Headlines

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.