United Nations Radio

The recent elections in Afghanistan showed that citizens want to continue on the path to democracy, UN representative for the country Kai Eide told the Security Council on Tuesday.

Kai Eide

Mr. Eide said that while the process was marked by a low turnout, and fraud and irregularities on the part of election officials, candidates, supporters and government officials, there had been "a long and intense campaign" to scare voters from the polls.

"The election campaign was characterized by a public engagement that Afghanistan has never seen before. It was a real debate between political alternatives that the people of Afghanistan (have) never witnessed. In my view, this strong public engagement proves that the Afghan people wanted these elections. They wanted to continue the democratic processes of this country."

The UN envoy observed that it is "decision-time both in Afghanistan and for Afghanistan," which will make a number of critical decisions over the coming weeks.

He noted that the final results from the August 20th presidential elections soon will be determined then certified. He added that this outcome must be respected.

Dianne Penn, United Nations Radio.
(duration: 1'16")