KABUL - The second joint meeting of the representatives of the International community, Afghan electoral bodies, Central Statistics Office and other related authorities was held today, October 12, at Gulkhana Palace chaired by Second Vice President Sarwar Danish. Chief of IEC, representatives of IEC, ECC, Chief of CSO, Deputy Chief of Mission and Political Advisor of the US embassy, NATO SR Senior Civilian Representative, Acting Deputy Ambassador of the UK Embassy, European Union   chargé d’affaires, Germany Embaasy chargé d’affaires, Japan Embassy chargé d’affaires, Australian Ambassador, and Denmark Embassy chargé d’affaires, participated in the meeting. During the meeting different electoral topics were discussed and the concerns of the international community were elaborated in details.
The representatives of the international community emphasized once more on Afghan electoral transparency and vowed to support strongly the forthcoming elections through using a biometric system. According to the representatives of the international community, using biometric system and overall supervision of the election process would ensure a fair and transparent election in the country. They also pledged that they would support the presidential election in 2019 and would cooperate with the people and government of Afghanistan to conduct the presidential election in a fair and transparent manner. The representatives of the international community louded out their support for women participation in the forthcoming elections and also raised their concerns over low participation of the women in the electoral process. They said they were especially concerned about taking photo of the women in the electoral process that is considered as one of the main barriers to their participation in this process.
“Voting secrecy, transparency and timely conduction of the forthcoming elections are the concerns of the GoIRA, Afghan people and Afghan Political parties” Said Vice President. “Government has taken the necessary measures to ensure electoral security” said the Vice President. “Afghan government and international community fully support a transparent, fair and just election and support strongly the Independent Electoral Commission to conduct it in a fair and transparent manner and Afghan government will take all the necessary measures to ensure increased participation of the women in the electoral process” he added. (DOA)