OSCE to send team to Afghanistan to assist on April 2014 elections

VIENNA, 24 October 2013 – A decision to send an election support team to Afghanistan to assist efforts on the presidential and Provincial Council elections in the country was taken by the OSCE Permanent Council today. The decision was made following a request of the Government of Afghanistan.

“The situation in Afghanistan, especially in terms of transition as well as withdrawal of international security forces from the country in 2014, has an important impact on the OSCE region as a whole,” said Ihor Prokopchuk of Ukraine, the Chairperson of the OSCE Permanent Council. “This decision contributes to the international community’s efforts to foster democracy and further stability in the country.”

Presidential and Provincial Council elections in Afghanistan are scheduled for 5 April 2014.

The Election Support Team will be organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights and will include up to 20 election staff. The team will closely co-ordinate with national, regional and international representatives, and will prepare a report on the electoral process, including a set of recommendations for the government to implement in the post-election period, aimed at enhancing the conduct of future elections and improving Afghanistan’s legal framework and procedures.

The necessary security arrangements will be put in place for the Election Support Teams.

The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights sent election support teams to Afghanistan in 2004, 2005, 2009 and 2010.

Full text of the OSCE Permanent Council Decision is available at //www.osce.org/pc/107429