UN urges Afghan election stakeholders to accurately understand tallying process before making comments

The call comes a day after Abdullah Abdullah’s vice presidential candidate Asadullah Sa’adati said that the Independent Election Commission was collecting data from the results sheets against rules previously set.

“UNAMA urges all stakeholders to have an accurate understanding of the tallying process before making comments; and also urges the IEC and ECC to ensure all stakeholders understand the tally process, including by explaining the process in clear and definitive terms,” it said in a statement. “All stakeholders share responsibility for the credibility of the elections.”

The statement urged all Afghan authorities and actors including IEC and the Electoral Complaints Commission, political parties, the government, candidates and their supporters to demonstrate their commitment to safeguard and complete the election, and to protect the integrity of the process, especially with regard to tabulating and announcing the results.

The statement said that the Afghan electoral authorities have put in place numerous anti-fraud measures to ensure transparency, and encouraged observer organizations, political parties, candidates and voters to play an active, informed and constructive role to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process as votes are tallied.

“Any citizen suspecting or witnessing fraud has a civic obligation to file a complaint with the relevant Afghan authorities, especially the Electoral Complaints Commission. Where credible allegations are made, Afghan law enforcement agencies should investigate expeditiously and, where appropriate, detain and prosecute those responsible,” UNAMA said.