MaximsNewsNetwork: AFGHANISTAN ELECTION PREPARATIONS UNAMA: KAI EIDE

MaximsNewsNetwork: 10 August 2009 - United Nations - UNAMA: Insecurity is having a serious impact on preparations for Afghanistan's upcoming elections, especially for women, according to a United Nations report released Sunday, which added that despite attacks and threats, Afghans are eager to take part in the polls.

Insecurity is having a serious impact on preparations for Afghanistan's upcoming elections, especially for women, according to the United Nations and the country's human rights body, which added that despite attacks and threats, Afghans are eager to take part in the polls.

SOUNDBITE (Dari) Ahmad Rashed Sirat, Young Afghan First-Time Voter:
Today, I have come to get my voting card for the first time, and this election is important and can make a better future. Because the young generation can elect their president themselves. I am satisfied with this process, and I request all Afghan people, my sisters and brothers to come get their card and participate in this election. Because we are the young generation and we must be able to choose our president ourselves.

A report co-authored by the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) found that insecurity has severely limited freedom of movement and constrained freedom of expression for candidates and supporters, hampering their ability to campaign openly through public gatherings or door-to-door visits.

These restrictions have, in turn, created significant limitations on freedom of association and peaceful assembly, and amplified women's difficulties in participating in the electoral process, stated the report, which covers the period from 16 June to 1 August.

There have been four alleged election-related killings in the month of July, according to the report, although it said the political rights of candidates and their supporters have generally been respected despite isolated instances of documented violations.

Kai Eide, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Afghanistan and head of UNAMA is concerned that insecurity will impact voter turnout for the 20 August presidential and provincial council elections.

During the lead-up to Election Day, Eide has been calling on all parties to make sure that all Afghans can participate in the polls.

SOUNDBITE (English) Kai Eide, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan:
It is not in the interest of anybody that a significant proportion of the population is not able to do it, so that the result does not reflect the will of the Afghan people. That is a message I direct to everybody in each province, in each district, also including the armed opposition. Its important for all of us to see these elections reflect the will of the people.

The UN is providing logistical support to help ensure the elections run smoothly.

Presidential and provincial ballot papers, polling staff identity cards, and other election paperwork are being shipped from this warehouse in Kabul to 28,663 polling stations in Afghanistans 34 provinces.

Forty-one presidential candidates, including two women, are running for the nations top post while more than 3,000 Afghans are competing for provincial council seats during the 20 August elections, which are being organized by the Afghan Independent Election Commission (IEC).

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