UN envoy welcomes certification of Afghan poll results

The United Nations envoy in Afghanistan today welcomed the certification of nearly all the final results for September?s legislative elections, adding that the formation of a new parliament will be a major step on the country?s path to building stability.

The Secretary-General?s Special Representative and head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, Staffan de Mistura, said the final certification is the culmination of many months.

?While we have noted that there were many irregularities and much fraud committed during this election, the committed work of the IEC and the ECC to identify and deal with these problems.

?These improvements are an essential element in Afghanistan’s efforts to build stability and sustainable peace,? he added.

Some 2,500 candidates ? including nearly 400 women ? vied for the parlia