UN mission calls for fraud-free polls

KABUL (UNAMA) on Tuesday stressed the need for elections free from malpractice, including fraud, which could prejudice the results.

Nicholas Haysom, the secretary-general’s deputy special representative for Afghanistan, issued the call after a meeting with Independent Election Commission (IEC) Chairperson Dr. Ahmad Yusuf Nuristani and the Chief Electoral Officer Ziaul Haq Amarkhel.

“Any actions which erode the trust in these elections should be avoided as they, ultimately, damage the legitimacy of the future government,” argued Haysom, who said: “With so much at stake, Afghans deserve to have elections that are inclusive, credible, transparent and free from any activity which could taint the results.”

Rigging amounted to stealing the vote of a fellow Afghan citizen, which was unacceptable, Haysom added. “Fraud not only affects the acceptability of the final verdict by the Afghan people, but will also definitely have consequences in terms of the international community’s future aid commitments.”

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