KABUL (Pajhwok): President Ashraf Ghani on Sunday said the people of Afghanistan proved to the world they only accepted democracy in their country.
The president expressed these views on Sunday evening to mark the end of Wolesi Jirg elections.
Ghani congratulated the nation on the successful conclusion of the lower house elections and said: “I am thankful to all of you that by casting your vote you proved it to the international community that the people of Afghanistan rejected violence and expressed your faith in democracy.”
“You have proved to the Taliban that no one could break the Afghans by force and despite clear security threats from the Taliban you braved all challenges and exercised the power of vote.”
The president told the Taliban: “It is now clear to you the Afghans want democracy.
The people of Afghanistan showed it to their enemy that despite security threats and warnings, they would not surrender but instead break the threats and warnings, Ghani said.
The president said the people of Afghanistan only wanted to see democracy was practiced in the country because nobody had granted them democracy but they earned it hundred years back under the leadership of Ghazi Amanullah Khan.
Referring to greater precipitation of women in the elections, the president said it was the success of democracy that a large number of women took part in the polls.
The president thanked election candidates and added: “With a healthy competition, you have brought together the masses. You have proved your deep roots within the masses and by your virtue a mass mobilization came into being.”
He said the government was fully committed to working with the new Wolesi Jirga and successful candidates in promoting democracy.
