New York, July 15 (DPA) The United Nations Security Council Wednesday called for “free, fair, transparent, credible, secure and inclusive” provincial and presidential elections next month in Afghanistan.
“The Security Council also calls upon the people of Afghanistan to exercise their vote in this historic opportunity and for all Afghans to make their voices heard,” the council said in a statement after a discussion on the situation in that country.
It called on the European Union and Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe to send observer missions and support teams requested by the Afghan government.
The elections are viewed as a crucial survival test for the government of President Hamid Karzai, who is running for re-election, at a time when the country faces growing security threats from the Taliban.
