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Afghanistan elections an 'important step'

News item | 25-08-2009

Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende has called the elections in Afghanistan an 'important step'. Speaking after a cabinet meeting, he expressed his admiration for those who had exercised their democratic right to vote.

The presidential and provincial council elections were held on 20 August 2009 in a process managed entirely by Afghan officials. According to Prime Minister Balkenende, the elections represented 'an important step in a country that continues to endure so many difficulties.' He also said that he appreciated the work of everyone who had made the elections possible.

'This happened in a country under threat, a country in which the Taliban is doing its best to make the whole process fail and using violence to prevent people from exercising their democratic rights,' he added.

Foreign minister Maxime Verhagen also called the elections an important step in Afghanistan's development as a democracy. He said he was 'most impressed' with the Afghans' management of the election process.

He stressed that the confidence of the Afghan people in the results of the election would be the most important measure of success.

The presidential election is the second to be held since the Taliban regime was driven out in 2001.