Kaine Statement on Afghanistan's Electoral Process

Statement

U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near Eastern, South and Central Asian Affairs, released the following statement today on Afghanistan's electoral process:

"I am concerned about the allegations of fraud in the most recent round of Afghanistan's presidential election. Today's announcement of preliminary results are just that -- preliminary. A thorough and transparent audit is essential to investigating the allegations of fraud and restoring the legitimacy of the election. While I welcome mediation efforts by the United Nations and international community, this is an Afghan moment. I urge all parties and candidates to respect the electoral process and Afghan constitution. An extended political crisis may impact the timeline for the signing of a Bilateral Security Agreement, which is not in anyone's interest, least of all the people of Afghanistan. I urge both Dr. Abdullah and Dr. Ghani to refrain from inflammatory rhetoric and work with the proper bodies to complete an audit in a thorough and expeditious fashion."

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