The National Democratic Institute (NDI) welcomes the conclusion of the 2014 presidential electoral process and the political agreement that enables the first democratic transfer of power in Afghanistan’s history. The establishment of the national unity government provides a critical framework for political leaders to work in tandem to address the country’s political, economic and security challenges.

KABUL – The National Democratic Institute (NDI) today expressed deep concern over the dispute emerging from Afghanistan’s June 14 presidential runoff election. Candidate Dr. Abdullah Abdullah has withdrawn his supporters from observing the vote tally and threatened to reject the election results, citing what he asserts is the Independent Election Commission’s (IEC’s) high estimated turnout rate as well as bias on the part of IEC officials.

KABUL - Setting the stage for the historic transfer of power from one democratically elected government to the next, Afghans came out in large numbers June 14 to participate in the nation's first presidential runoff election. As in the first round voting on April 5, voters defied attempts by extremist groups to disrupt the voting, according to a preliminary statement by the National Democratic Institute (NDI).