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08/09/2004
Campaigning for Afghan presidential elections begins
The campaign for Afghanistan's first open presidential election in its history formally began today, with 18 candidates heading off on the stump for the next 30 days.
The presidential election is Afghanistan's first poll since the UN Assistance Mission to the country (UNAMA) was set up to help reconstruction following a quarter century of war and Taliban hegemony. National and local parliamentary elections are scheduled for next April.
The Joint Electoral Management Body (JEMB) issued a statement declaring that campaigning began at 7am today and ends on the morning of 7 October, two days before more than 10.5 million registered Afghan voters - including at least 4.3 million women - are scheduled to cast their ballots.
"The political campaign must be based on the principles of freedom of expression and conducted in a climate free of intimidation, which allows for democratic debates and discussion," the UNAMA statement read.
UN spokesman Manoel de Almeida e Silva said there are also regulations in place requiring free and equal access to candidates on state-run media.
A media commission has also been established to monitor reporting during the election campaign and to probe possible breaches of the media code of conduct, which calls for fair and balanced reporting and promotes retractions and rights to reply.
The budget to run the elections now has more than $58 million, thanks to contributions from the United States, United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Finland, Canada, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Japan and Germany.
(gmcg)
The presidential election is Afghanistan's first poll since the UN Assistance Mission to the country (UNAMA) was set up to help reconstruction following a quarter century of war and Taliban hegemony. National and local parliamentary elections are scheduled for next April.
The Joint Electoral Management Body (JEMB) issued a statement declaring that campaigning began at 7am today and ends on the morning of 7 October, two days before more than 10.5 million registered Afghan voters - including at least 4.3 million women - are scheduled to cast their ballots.
"The political campaign must be based on the principles of freedom of expression and conducted in a climate free of intimidation, which allows for democratic debates and discussion," the UNAMA statement read.
UN spokesman Manoel de Almeida e Silva said there are also regulations in place requiring free and equal access to candidates on state-run media.
A media commission has also been established to monitor reporting during the election campaign and to probe possible breaches of the media code of conduct, which calls for fair and balanced reporting and promotes retractions and rights to reply.
The budget to run the elections now has more than $58 million, thanks to contributions from the United States, United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Finland, Canada, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Japan and Germany.
(gmcg)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
