KABUL - The United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Ján Kubiš, briefed President Hamid Karzai on the progress of the Presidential run-off election audit.

Mr. Kubiš, in responding to the President’s invitation to provide the update, underscored the steady progress being made. He emphasized that, given the absence from the audit of agents of the presidential candidates, the UN experts engaged in the audit continue to conduct their work with strict impartiality, professionalism and with even greater vigilance.

Noting the unprecedented scale of the 100 percent audit, and basing projections on information of the Independent Election Commission and the UN experts supervising the process, Mr. Kubiš said that a rigorous and credible audit required time, but could be completed around 10 September. Following all necessary steps, as required by law, the inauguration of the new President should then be possible soon after. (PR)