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Ban congratulates South Africa on peaceful polls, high voter turnout

Secretary General Ban Ki Moon in Rome, Italy, 8 May 2014.
UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe
Secretary General Ban Ki Moon in Rome, Italy, 8 May 2014.

Ban congratulates South Africa on peaceful polls, high voter turnout

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has congratulated the people and Government of South Africa on the peaceful holding of parliamentary and provincial elections, amid reports of high voter turnout.

“He applauds the determination of South Africans to participate meaningfully in the democratic system the country has fought so hard to establish, starting with the first multi-racial elections 20 years ago,” Mr. Ban said in a statement issued by his spokesperson in New York.

Following yesterday’s vote, the statement pledges the continuing commitment of the United Nations to supporting South Africa in its efforts to advance justice and development for the benefit of all segments of society.