Go and vote: UN official to Afghans

Kabul, April 3: A senior UN official Thursday urged Afghans to use the presidential and provincial council elections two days hence to shape the future of the country through peaceful, democratic means.

"This is your chance, this is your right; you should not allow anyone to deprive you of your right to go and vote and determine, by peaceful democratic means, the future of your country," said the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Afghanistan, Jan Kubis.

His comments came at a press conference in the capital, Kabul, ahead of the end to the official campaigning period Thursday night for candidates in the upcoming polls on April 5, which will lead to the country's first democratic transfer of power.

The elections come at a crucial time for the country, which this year will see the withdrawal of the majority of allied international military forces, with national forces assuming full responsibility for security countrywide.

"The election will mark yet another indispensable step in moving forward in building democracy, but also in providing the necessary legitimacy to the next leadership," said Kubis who is also head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).

He briefed reporters on the preparations for the elections - which are led and managed by Afghans - as well as his recent meeting with the Security Council in New York.

He noted that there was a hope on the part of the Council that the Afghan people would come through the elections "with flying colours", given that the country was much better prepared for these polls than they were during the elections in 2009.

"Yes, there might be difficulties and security problems," said the envoy. "Nevertheless, the overall preparations, the overall atmosphere is much better."

Kubis has also urged the country's women to maintain and build on the momentum behind a recent petition - signed by more than 250,000 women and girls - calling for peace and a ceasefire.

IANS