KABUL (SW): The EU, its Member States in Kabul and Norway on Wednesday welcomed the appointment of the new members to the Independent Election Commission (IEC) and to the Electoral Complaint Commission (ECC).
The appointments represent a necessary step towards implementing meaningful electoral reform and to prepare for elections, it said, adding that holding credible periodic elections is essential for the legitimacy of the state.
The EU mission in Afghanistan has called upon the IEC and ECC to work for a transparent and inclusive electoral process that can restore public confidence in future elections. A window of opportunity now exists for Afghanistan to implement key electoral reforms. First and foremost there is a need for all political actors actively to support peaceful, inclusive, free and fair elections. This will be critical for ensuring the integrity of future elections. Addressing past weaknesses and introducing fraud mitigation measures will also underpin efforts to regain public trust in the electoral process, it noted.
The EU, its Member States and Norway have once again reiterated its resolve to continue to support the Afghan people on their path towards building a stable and democratic Afghanistan.
ENDS
