Press release

Foreign Secretary welcomes elections in Afghanistan

Foreign Secretary welcomes large number of Afghan men and women exercising right to vote despite intimidation and threats

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government
Foreign Secretary, William Hague

Millions of Afghans today took part in elections to choose only their second president since 2001, and to elect Provincial Council representatives.

Speaking about today’s elections, Foreign Secretary William Hague said:

This is an historic moment for Afghanistan and its people. Across the country, millions of Afghans have been voting for a new President. It is a great achievement for the Afghan people that so many voters, men and women, young and old, have turned out in such large numbers, despite threats of violence, to have their say in the country’s future.

Now that all the votes have been cast, I hope all parties will show patience and respect while the electoral authorities go to work to count and check the ballots, and declare the results.

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Published 5 April 2014