Dispatch of Japan's Election Observers for the Wolesi Jirga (Lower House) and Provincial Council Elections in Afghanistan

September 9, 2005

For the Wolesi Jirga (Lower House) and Provincial Council Elections in Afghanistan to be held on September 18 (Thu), the Government of Japan will dispatch from September 12 election observers composing three officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs led by Mr. Hideki Ito, Deputy Director-General of the Middle Eastern and African Affairs Bureau.
Afghanistan, through the twice held Loya Jirga (Grand Council) based on the Bonn Agreement, witnessed the establishment of the Transitional Administration, the adoption and promulgation of a new constitution, and the election of President Karzai in the first presidential election in October 2004. In March 2005, Joint Electoral Management Body (JEMB) announced that it would carry out the Wolesi Jirga (Lower House) and Provincial Council Elections on September 18 in accordance with the new constitution. The international community supports this announcement for the implementation of free and fair elections.
In order to support these elections, Japan has extended a total of $13 million to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Japan, in addition to the financial assistance already provided, will dispatch these observers to secure the free and fair implementation of these elections.

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