KABUL (Pajhwok): US Acting Assistance Secretary for South and Central Affairs Alice Wells has supported the Afghan election bodies for their efforts to independently lead a credible electoral process.
Wells tweeted: “During my meeting with IEC and IECC officials, I expressed continued US support for their efforts to independently lead a credible electoral process.”
The diplomat wrote her country oppose any political interference or pressure on the vital work of the election institutions.
The IEC & ECC have a challenging task to review votes, complaints, concerns and allegations of fraud from across the country.
“We will support their decision on timing of release of preliminary results. Better for IEC/ECC to deliver an accurate result than a rushed one.”
She said the IEC and ECC decision to count BVV-confirmed votes was a positive step to increase confidence that the end result would be a credible outcome.
The rules for elections should not change in the middle of a process, the US official remarked.
“Today, I reaffirmed the ongoing US commitment to Afghanistan. I emphasized to President Ashraf Ghani and CEO Abdullah that Afghan government institutions, leaders and election must be transparent and accountable to the people.”
sa/mud