Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 799: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the recent election in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31720/09]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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At the present moment, the results of the elections in Afghanistan are still awaited. Though the outcome is not entirely certain, I am happy to set out my views on the electoral process to date.

I welcome the fact that it was possible to hold both Presidential and Provincial Elections in most parts of Afghanistan on 20 August, despite the very difficult security situation prevailing there and threats from the Taliban that they would be targeting polling stations and voters. I also welcome the fact that, despite the threats, around 17 million Afghans registered to vote in the months before the elections, that candidates in both elections were largely able to carry out successful election campaigning and that around 6,500 polling stations were set up and functioned on election day.

However, the high number of Taliban attacks which took place in many parts of the country before and during the elections was a cause of great concern, with over 200 incidents in total recorded on election day. Although other factors were also involved, security threats were a major factor in a very low voter turn-out, estimated at under 30%. I am deeply concerned also by reports and evidence of large-scale fraud having taken place in the Presidential elections in particular, with over 2,000 complaints received by the ECC, about one third of those classified as 'Category A' claims, which could, if substantiated, affect the outcome of the election.

It is vital that the election process and outcome are seen to be credible. The low turn-out and the widespread allegations of fraud certainly raise questions about credibility, but it is too early at this stage to pronounce definitively on this issue. Ultimately, it will be up to the Afghan people to determine if the elections, and their outcome, are credible and acceptable in their eyes. How the ECC and the IEC handle the allegations of fraud – and are perceived to handle them - will be crucial in this regard. This process is currently underway, with some results annulled and some recounting and auditing taking place.

The UN has been playing a major role in supporting the elections process. The EU has also assisted, most notably by agreeing to mount a full EU Electoral Observation Mission with around 200 professional monitors, who monitored both the preparations for the elections and the process on election day and who have also been providing independent assessments of the process to date. Two long-term Irish observers participated in the EU Mission. In addition, Irish Aid provided some funding through the UN system for the preparation of the elections.

In a statement issued on 10 September by the EU Presidency, the EU expressed concern at the allegations of fraud at a number of polling stations, noting that the ECC has been required to investigate these claims. In the statement, the EU acclaimed the important work of the ECC to safeguard the credibility of the elections and underlined the need for its independence to be fully secured and given sufficient time to fulfil its mandate, in co-operation with the IEC. The EU statement also expressed the hope that all authorities will refrain from prejudging the result until it has been properly certified. I fully endorse this statement.