Ghani says rule at gunpoint a history now

KABUL (Pajhwok): President Ashraf Ghani late Sunday welcomed the much-awaited result from the presidential election, saying no one could usurp power at gun-point weapons anymore.

Earlier in the day, the IEC said President Ashraf Ghani has won the September 28 ballot by bagging 50.64 per cent of the votes.

President Ghani, addressing a gathering at the Presidential Palace, today (Sunday) evening said the ‘State Builder’ electoral team will provide equal facilities to all Afghans.

He said, “The people of the Afghanistan are victorious today and we are celebrating their victory.”

President Ghani added his electoral team’s aim was to continue the republic system. He also praised the Independent Election Commission (IEC) and asked the electoral body to address candidates’ complaints as per the election law.

The declaration of initial results was the result of security and defense forces’ struggle and efforts, Ghani continued.

He said, “I am thankful to Afghan women whose turnout was 31 percent in the September poll.”

Pk/ma