Foreign Minister Stubb: Elections in Afghanistan successful given the circumstances 

Press release 214/2009
21 August, 2009

In Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb’s view, the first elections administered by Afghani officials, held yesterday, 20 August, were a success given the security conditions. Despite threats, no major attacks took place. Unfortunately, an estimated 26 people lost their lives in incidents of violence; most of the victims belonged to local security forces. However, Afghanistan’s security forces succeeded well in their demanding task, and made it possible for the elections to be held in most of the country.

Voter turnout is expected to have been reasonably good, which should also be seen as a favourable outcome in view of the prevailing conditions. Following the caution exercised in the morning, voters came to the polling stations and the time for voting was extended by one hour.

In Stubb’s opinion, the voter turnout proves that the people of Afghanistan wish to live, above all, in peace and believe in the future of their country.

Some disturbances occurred in the area of northern Afghanistan under the responsibility of the Finnish military detachment. At the polls themselves, however, the situation was peaceful. According to current information, all of the roughly 700 polling stations were open in the four provinces under Swedish and Finnish patrol. The local police were successful in averting the threat that evidently targeted one polling station in the area. Finnish forces have successfully provided support to the Afghani authorities in recent days.

The election process is still underway. During the coming days and weeks, the work will be monitored, for its part, by the EU election observation mission, in which Finland, too, is participating. Preliminary election results are expected early next week.

Additional information: Juha Kirstilä, Press Attaché to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, mobile tel. +358 40 552 2800, and Timo Kantola, Head of the Unit for Security Policy and Crisis Management, mobile tel. +358 40 353 7549