KABUL (SW) – The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has emphasized that Afghans should not be obstructed, intimidated or denied their right to choose their representatives and shape their country's future.
UNAMA stated on Saturday that with the Wolesi Jirga (lower house) elections little more than a week away, progress has been made by the country's security forces in creating conditions for the majority of citizens to exercise their right to vote despite significant security challenges,.
"Afghanistan’s security forces are fully responsible for providing security for the elections process," said Tadamichi Yamamoto, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan. “Adequate security is required to give the opportunity to as many eligible voters as possible to exercise their constitutional rights.”
Yamamoto, who is also head of UNAMA, said any violence or intimidation directed at voters, candidates or electoral officials is totally unacceptable, and I unequivocally condemn it,” the UN envoy stressed, noting recent attacks across the country against candidates, their teams and potential voters.
Nusrat Rahimi, spokesman for the Ministry of Interior, told Salam Watandar the security institutions are well-prepared to ensure coordinated security for the polls. He said the MoI would be vigilantly monitoring the performances of the security agencies. He urged the voters and observers to report any misconduct by the police force during elections.
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