The thorough process of arriving at a more reasonable understanding of the election held on August 20 was done in compliance with the Electoral Law of Afghanistan, under close observation of many observer groups as well as candidate agents, the group said on Wednesday.

Free and Fair Election Foundation of Afghanistan (FEFA) believed the process provided a reasonably solid foundation for the restoration of credibility of elections in the war-hit country.

Nader Nadery, FEFA chairman, said: "The audit and the final decision by ECC on nullification of fraud votes and candidates conceding to the decision is an important step forward to build public trust in the future electoral processes in Afghanistan."

FEFA lauded the transparent process of the recount and encouraged the ECC to ensure the initial steps and announcements served as the basis for identifying other administrative irregularities so that citizens could have confidence that their votes counted.

"FEFA once again commits itself as one of the voices of civil society and the people of Afghanistan to cooperate with all institutions that will ensure that elections are credible, acceptable and expresses the will of the people."

mud/pr