The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) welcomes the recent progress made toward Afghanistan's parliamentary polls, including candidate vetting and other preparations required for printing ballots on schedule, as testament to Afghanistan's successful ownership of the electoral process.

While preparations are on track for holding parliamentary elections on 20 October, all parties must perform their respective roles to ensure the necessary timelines and conditions are met," said Tadamichi Yamamoto, the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Afghanistan. "The government, the electoral management bodies and the country's political leaders carry the primary responsibility to create the necessary conditions for credible elections to take place." 
UNAMA, in accordance with the mandate entrusted by UN member states, remains committed to working with Afghan institutions as they implement reforms to enhance transparency and build trust in Afghanistan's democratic processes, including by promoting the participation of women as voters and as candidates.
The role of the United Nations is to provide technical advice to the electoral management bodies, to coordinate the efforts of the international community, and to channel international funding for the elections. Elections are the fundamental expression of sovereignty in any democratic country, and are the responsibility of the government, electoral institutions, political actors, civil society, the media, voters and all other relevant stakeholders.
"The electoral management bodies have demonstrated that they can respond to constructive criticism, but they need the support of all stakeholders," said Yamamoto, who is also head of UNAMA. "All Afghans have a stake in successful elections, and it is therefore crucial for all Afghans to exercise their civic duty and participate in Afghanistan's democratic processes."
The United Nations remains committed to assisting the efforts of the Afghan people in conducting what are truly Afghan-owned elections for the first time since 2001. The United Nations fully supports all Afghan citizens in exercising their civil and political rights, and continues to support the Afghan government and people of Afghanistan in their pursuit of democratic development, prosperity and durable peace.