Speaking after a two day visit to Afghanistan, NATO’s chief, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, urged the Afghan government to work towards a ‘free, fair and transparent’ elections in the presidential poll, which is due to take place in 2014.
Noting the significance of a fair election process in orchestrating a smooth transition of power back to the Afghan forces, Rasmussen said ,
“I think it is essential for building trust and confidence between the Afghan people and the Afghan government that the presidential elections take place in a manner that is free fair, and transparent.”
“The way the election is conducted will have a strong importance when it comes to the whole credibility of the transition process,” he added.
Following a meeting with Afghan leaders, Rasmussen said the transition campaign was making good progress, and hoped for the full transition to occur by 2014.
A recent report by the International Crisis Group (ICG) noted that “in the current environment, prospects for clean elections and a smooth transition are slim.”
Despite Rasmussen’s confidence, violence continues across the country as the 2014 transition target deadline looms.
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