In line with the international community’s commitment to support the democratic processes in Afghanistan, the European Union (EU) has committed to provide EUR 8 millions in funding to support the upcoming Presidential Elections on 28 September 2019. The new EU funding commitment was pledged through an agreement that was signed between the EU ambassador to Afghanistan H.E. Pierre Mayaudon and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative for Afghanistan Mr. Abdallah Al Dardari on 23 September 2019.

The new EU funding was provided to UN Electoral Support Project (UNESP), and will be used to provide technical and logistical support to the Afghan electoral bodies - the Independent Elections Commission (IEC) and the Electoral Complaints Commission (ECC) - to facilitate free, fair and transparent Presidential Elections in Afghanistan. 

Speaking at the signing ceremony, UNDP Resident Representative for Afghanistan Abdallah Al Dardari reiterated the international community’s commitment for transparent elections in Afghanistan. “We believe that elections are essential to democratic governance in Afghanistan and around the world” said Mr. Al Dardari. He assured of UNDP’s continued technical support for an Afghan-led process through the national electoral institutions. “Recognizing that this is and must be an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned process, we reaffirm our commitment to support Afghan electoral bodies to deliver credible, transparent and inclusive elections in Afghanistan” Mr. Al Dardari added.

The EU ambassador to Afghanistan H.E. Pierre Mayaudon emphasized on ensuring inclusive and free elections that will enhance public trust and confidence in the democratic process. Ambassador Mayaudon underlined that "the signature of this agreement, just 5 days before the crucial 28 September Presidential ballot, is a vote

of confidence by the EU towards the capacity of the IEC and ECC to organize a credible election". Ambassador Mayaudon added "We know the challenges but we also know the determination of the courageous Afghan citizens to provide their political leadership with the rejuvenated mandate that will allow negotiating peace at a critical moment of Afghanistan´s history".

UN Electoral Support Project (UNESP) is the main programming vehicle of the international community to support elections in Afghanistan. The project is run by the United Nations Development Programme and is designed to provide technical assistance and capacity building support to the Afghan electoral bodies in order to build self-reliance, public accountability, and public confidence in the electoral process.
 

For more information, contact:

• Dr. Federico ROMOLI, Delegation of the European Union to Afghanistan: Federico.ROMOLI@eeas.europa.eu
• Omer Sadaat, UNDP Afghanistan Communications: 0790 012345, sayed.omer@undp.org

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