Here is what some of the main Afghan presidential candidates are saying about the 20 August election:
Incumbent Afghan President Hamid Karzai |
"It's the second presidential and parliamentary election in Afghanistan and I'm sure that, Inshallah [God willing], this will be for peace, for progress and for the well being of the Afghan people and I request the Afghan people to come out and vote so that, through their vote, Afghanistan can be more secure, more peaceful and a better country." |
Former foreign minister Abdullah Abdullah |
"I'm concerned about the violence which is underway today, about security incidents, but a sa whole I'm very positive.... There have been some reports from some parts of the country but still people have shown their courage, their resilience and they have participated." |
Former finance minister Ghani Ahmadzai |
"I hope that we can peacefully resolve all the critical issues that would be arising regarding fraud. We are determined to avoid a Kenya and Zimbabwe at any cost and we are grateful for the support that the people of Europe and the rest of the world are providing." |
Lawmaker Ramazan Bashardost |
"So there is transparency, it is not honest, it is not free because the ink is not here. I can vote twice, I can vote a third [time]. It is the reason that I ask Karzai, the American Ambassador, especially the American Ambassador, and Mr. Ludin [Azizullah Ludin, head of Afghanistan's Independent Election Commission] to stop immediately, immediately this election." |