Editor in Chief: Moh. Reza Huwaida Thursday, March 28th, 2024

Karzai Confident Candidates will Respect Election Outcome

Karzai Confident Candidates  will Respect Election Outcome

KABUL - In his weekly statement aired by Afghanistan's national media, Radio Television Afghanistan (RTA), President Hamid Karzai announced that the April 5 elections not only created history, but will bring positive change to Afghanistan's stability and security situations.

During his talk he urged electoral bodies, specifically the Independent Election Commission (IEC) and the Electoral Complaints Commission (ECC) that they not only fairly account for results, but announce final results as scheduled.

"The next steps are counting ballots, filing complaints and investigating the complaints," President Karzai said. "The ECC and IEC are working on these and I hope that the final results are announced on time."

He added that the IEC and ECC to abode neutrality and impartiality during the counting and investigation processes so that the public trust is maintained. He added that he admired the massive turnout on Election Day despite threats the people voted for the future of their country. He hopes that the candidates respect the outcome of elections.

In addition, presidential candidates have said that the nation is keeping close eye on the actions of the electoral bodies.

"The election commissions must prove its neutrality, credibility, trust and quality through every step because this is the future of Afghanistan and its people," Presidential candidate Abdullah Abdullah said. "They must realize their responsibility."

Presidential candidate Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai also emphasized on the neutrality of the electoral bodies as the election process begins to wind down.

"We want transparency so that the fundamental principles, which will be executed in Afghanistan for the first time, are maintained if we move on to a runoff in order to prevent frauds and continue our national cooperation in an environment of trust and mutual respect," Ghani said.

The 2014 presidential and provincial council's election is considered a milestone in the political history of Afghanistan because of the unprecedented turnout; the Afghan people defied security threats and intimidation of the Taliban. The election will mark the first democratic transition of political power from one elected president to another. (Tolonews)