President Ashraf Ghani has said this month’s presidential election holds key to peace in Afghanistan, calling the ballot a national and historic responsibility.
Addressing provincial governors, police chiefs and election officials through a video conference on Monday, the president said all focus should be on maintaining security for polling stations, candidates and the transfer of sensitive electoral materials until the election day (Sept. 28).
Referring to areas recently cleared of Taliban insurgents particularly Warduj and Yamqan districts of northeastern Badakhshan province, Ghani said residents of these areas should be facilitated and provided security to cast their votes in the upcoming election.
“Let the people decide,” Ghani declared and vowed not to allow the “slightest threat” to the legitimacy of the vote.
The president asked provincial civil and military authorities not to interfere in the electoral process and extend every possible support to the election officials. He said every attempt at electoral fraud should be detected and prevented.
He said peace could not be achieved without legitimacy and legitimacy came with election. “Peace is our priority, but election holds key to peace and conducting election is our national and historic responsibility.”
