MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Smith
Australia will provide additional support for the Afghanistan elections in response to a United Nations appeal for assistance.
Successful Presidential and Provincial council elections scheduled this year in Afghanistan, and also Parliamentary elections in 2010, are crucial to international efforts to consolidate political transition and build a stable Afghanistan.
Broad and equitable participation by all Afghans, including women and internally displaced people, will be important for building the legitimacy and credibility of the election process.
Australia's additional $3 million in support will go to United Nations Development Programme to help to establish an independent Electoral Complaints Commission.
A complaints commission will be an important part of the electoral process. It will aim to increase the Afghan people's confidence in the elections by bringing greater accountability, including through a formal appeal mechanism.
The $3 million builds on the $5 million in electoral assistance announced by the Prime Minister on 20 December 2008.
Australia's assistance for the Afghan Independent Election Commission's voter registration exercise has already seen over 4.4 million people register, of which 38 per cent are women. This is more than double the number of people expected.
Media Contacts:
Mr Smith's Office: Courtney Hoogen 02 6277 7500 or 0488 244901
Departmental : (02) 6261 1555