Press Release

Elections in Afghanistan

19/09/2009

India welcomed the successful holding of the Presidential and Provincial Council elections in Afghanistan on 20 August, 2009. Given our historical relationship and as a fellow developing democratic country, India appreciates the determination of the Afghan people who participated in the election process despite threats and attacks meant to disrupt the elections. In this spirit and as a friend of the Afghan people, we congratulate all the democratic forces in Afghanistan. It is heartening to note that the campaigns were conducted in a democratic spirit, that there were no incidents of violence resulting form any clash between supporters of the candidates, and that participation in the elections was broad based all over Afghanistan.

We admire that the elections were conducted by national institutions, unlike the previous elections in Afghanistan. This Afghan-led process would go a long way in strengthening the democracy in Afghanistan.

We welcome the announcement of the preliminary results of all the votes counted by IEC in which President Hamid Karzai has emerged as the leading candidate having secured 54.62%, followed by Dr. Abdullah Abdullah at 27.75%. We are now looking to the early and successful conclusion of the electoral process and finalisation of the results after the completion of the legal procedures.

India reaffirms its commitment to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries and for the reconstruction and development of a pluralistic and democratic Afghanistan.

New Delhi
September 19, 2009