Security Council urges Afghans to tackle key post-election challenges

Welcoming Saturday's presidential election in Afghanistan, and congratulating the millions of voters for their "commitment to democracy," the Security Council today urged the Afghan Government to focus on the challenges of improving security, continuing the disarmament of ex-fighters, battling the illegal drug trade and preparing the country for parliamentary elections next April.

In a statement read out by Ambassador Emyr Jones Parry of the United Kingdom, which holds the rotating presidency this month, the Council's 15 members described the presidential election - the first time Afghans have been able to vote freely for their Head of State - "as a milestone in the political process."

Mr. Jones Parry said the array of presidential candidates indicated the "broad political representation" in the poll, and noted the high number of women and refugees who voted as well.

The statement also welcomed the move by the Joint Electoral Management Body (JEMB) to hold an inquiry into the concerns of some candidates about irregularities in the voting on Saturday, which it said would "further enhance the transparency of the electoral process."

Mr. Jones Parry said the Afghan Government, with the support of the international community, should now renew its determination to resolve several other key challenges, such as security, the heroin trade, and disarmament and demobilization of former combatants.

Local and regional parliamentary elections are also scheduled for April 2005, and the statement said authorities must plan and carry out "inclusive" polls without delay.

Earlier, Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Hédi Annabi briefed the Council on the election, saying "the popular verdict on the process itself is overwhelmingly positive."

Mr. Annabi said there were no major security incidents and no Afghans were killed as they went to cast their ballots. He also said that international election monitors reported high turnouts and "a high level of popular satisfaction."

Noting there had been problems with indelible ink, which was used to make sure Afghans did not vote more than once, Mr. Annabi said JEMB officials identified the issue and fixed it within a few hours of the beginning of polling.

The Assistant Secretary-General also said credit was due to the large contingent of security forces, both national and international, who were deployed to prevent any incidents disrupting the ballot.