CENTCOM: Post Afghan Presidential Elections 2014

[CENTCOM]

To say the least, scenes showcasing men and women, old and young, taking control of their future even at the cost of their lives is exhilarating enough to motivate, inspire and touch the hearts of people across the world. The Afghan people have done just that this past Saturday, when more than half of the number eligible voters showed up at the voting polls. The Afghan people have sent a clear message to all those regimes that want to suppress their voice; they will not be silenced. As Laila Niazi, a 48 year old Afghan housewife has told AFP, “I am not afraid of Taliban threats; we will die one day anyway. I want my vote to be a slap in the face of the Taliban.”

Fortunately, the Election Day went by peacefully with enthusiastic and hopeful people flocked to the voting polls, facing many obstacles yet still determined. This not only showed the capability of the ANSF and the Afghan government to organize such a complex event but also painted a clear picture that the Afghan population trusts the system of democracy and believes in the role of civil society in governance. As our Commander, Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III, has stated, “I want to commend the Afghan people on the successful conduct of elections this past weekend. These democratic elections represent a significant milestone in their pursuit of a stable, secure and sovereign Afghanistan. Importantly, the Afghan people were undeterred by the Taliban’s attempts to intimidate them and disrupt the process, and this was reflected in the high level of turnout at polling stations throughout the country. A great deal of credit belongs with the men and women of the Afghan National Security Forces, who enabled the success of these elections...”

Haroon Ahmad
DET – U.S. Central Command
www.facebook.com/centcomurdu

 

[SpArK]

Great day for Afghans.

and CENTCOM... Hello there..