Karzai desires high turnout in run-off polls

KABUL (Pajhwok): President Hamid Karzai on Thursday urged all Afghans to participate in the crucial second round of presidential elections and vote for a candidate of their choice.

In his weekly radio address, the president said the entire world had praised the Afghans for the high turnout in the first round of the April 5 presidential and provincial council elections.

“Afghans were praised because they braved all security threats and suffered hardships in casting their votes. They have proved democracy striking root in the country,” he said.

Karzai added he was confident the Afghans would participate in the second round as enthusiastically as they did in the first round. The runoff features the two leading candidates, Dr Abdullah and Dr Ashraf Ghani.

Vote is the right of every Afghan who wanted a peaceful Afghanistan, the president remarked, calling people’s active participation in the process an important step toward democracy in the country.

At the end of his speech, Karzai said: “I want a prosperous Afghanistan and a bright future for our children. I hope Afghans are in a better position today, our goals could be achieved through widespread participation in elections.”

mds/mud