Straw promises continued backing for Afghanistan
The Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, has promised that the UK will continue to support Afghanistan after the elections this weekend.
Polls have now closed in Afghanistan’s first democratic presidential elections, with acting president Hamid Karzai widely expected to win.
The turnout has been massive, with over 10 million people registered to vote, but the situation has been marred somewhat by allegations of voting irregularity. There were complaints that the ink used to guard against multiple voting was erasable.
Fifteen of the 18 candidates initially refused to recognise the result and called for fresh polls, but they are now believed to be backing away from their calls and would accept the conclusions of an independent inquiry into the election.
International observers have concluded that the majority of the poll was free and democratic.
There had been fears that pro-Taliban rebels would seek to disrupt the polls, but there were no acts of terrorism reported. Due to the sheer number of people voting, the count is not expected to be concluded until later this month.
Speaking this morning, Mr Straw said he “wholeheartedly” congratulated the Afghan people and authorities over the holding of the election.
“We must of course wait for the electoral process to run its full course before the authorities can confirm the legitimacy of the contest and announce a winner. But, with the Afghan people turning out in such huge numbers to elect their first ever democratic head of state, it is already clear that a significant milestone has been reached in Afghanistan’s history.
“Despite the best efforts of minority elements who tried to drag the country back into tyranny and repression, the majority in Afghanistan have literally stood up to be counted. Their enthusiasm and their determination to control their own democratic destiny is an inspiration to every one of us.
“Today’s election is an important stage in the long process of Afghanistan’s rehabilitation. The United Kingdom will continue to stand by the Afghan people as they take their country forwards to a better future for all.”
The UK has contributed over $18 million towards funding the election registration and given additional money for voter education and election observation.
