Deputy Special Representative (Political) for Afghanistan meets with ECC's leadership

24 March 2021,

Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Political (DSRSG) Ms. Mette Knudsen for Afghanistan met with members of the ECC leadership at ECC.

Ms. Zohra Bayan Shinwari, ECC's chairwoman welcomed Ms. Knudsen and her accompanying delegation members and acknowledged UN's political, financial, and technical contributions in the election process in Afghanistan.

Ms. Shinwari briefed about ECC’s legal mandates and explained about the ECC’s role and contribution to ensuring electoral justice. She further elaborated ECC’s current activities including election law amendment process and future plans for conducting Ghazni WJ, Provincial Council, District Council and municipal council elections. Ms. Shinwari requested UN delegation to continue and extend its assistance in ECC's different areas and the complaints/objections adjudication process.

Noting the importance of elections in representing people’s the people's will, and building confidence towards elections and democracy, Ms. Knudsen expressed UN’s commitment to support the peace process, and to conduct free, fair and credible elections.

Similarly, ECC's secretary and spokesperson Dr. Mohammad Qasim Elyasi, and ECC commissioner Mr. Sayed Qutbuddin Roidar, while thanking to UN for its support and assistance with the elections process, responded to the questions posed about elections by the Secretary General's Deputy Special representative (political) for Afghanistan.

Chief Technical Advisor for United Nations Electoral Support Team Grant Kippen and UNDP Deputy Resident Representative for Programme Ms. Surayo Buzurukova were part of the UN delegation.