Right, desire of Afghans for their votes to be counted, respected: Pompeo

Strongly condemning the Kandahar terrorist attack, the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday said that the right and desire of the Afghan people for their votes to be counted must be respected.

“Recent attacks against parliamentary candidates in the final days of campaigning in Afghanistan stand in stark contrast to the aspirations of the Afghan people for peace, security, and economic stability. The right and desire of the Afghan people for their votes to be counted must be respected,” Pompeo said.

The United States, he said, is resolved to continue its support for the Government and people of Afghanistan as they work to provide security for all Afghan citizens, including for the upcoming parliamentary election on October 20.

Condemning the attack directed on Afghan provincial leadership in Kandahar, Pompeo extended his sympathies and condolences to the families of Gen. Abdul Raziq and provincial intelligence chief, Gen. Abdul Momin Hussainkhel who were killed in the attack.

“We also extend hope for the speedy recovery of all those injured in the attack, including two Americans and one Coalition member who were present at the time,” he said.

In a separate statement in New York, the UN Secretary General António Guterres, called on all political leaders to work together to ensure full respect for the electoral process, in which every voter, in particular women and minority groups, will be able to cast their ballot.

“As Afghanistan prepares for parliamentary elections on 20 October, the Secretary-General encourages all eligible Afghan voters to exercise their right to vote and thus to contribute to the development of sustainable democratic institutions and creating conditions conducive for a more stable and peaceful Afghanistan,” he said.

Against the backdrop of existing security challenges, the UN Secretary-General encourages relevant authorities and all political stakeholders to take the necessary measures to do their utmost to prevent any forms of electoral violence, a UN media release said.