WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) – A resolution introduced by Congressman Alan Grayson (D-Florida) unanimously passed the House of Representatives Monday evening, June 9. H. Res. 600 commends the Afghan people for completing the first round of presidential elections earlier this year, and urges Afghanistan to conduct a credible, inclusive, and transparent run-off election later this week. Grayson’s measure passed unanimously with bipartisan support.
The Afghanistan government held a presidential election in April of this year. Election Day casualties declined from previous years, while voter turnout increased to nearly 60 percent. Still, no candidate received more than 50 percent of the vote, prompting Afghanistan’s Independent Election Commission to schedule a run-off election in June.
Grayson called the first round of elections “promising” in terms of voter turnout and the lack of civilian deaths, but noted that more work remained. “Votes from 331 polling stations were invalidated and removed from final tabulations,” he noted. “Reports of voter and election monitor intimidation persist…[There are] concerns about the lack of transparency in the activities of the Afghan Independent Election Commission and the Electoral Complaints Commission, 17 members of the Afghan National Security Forces were killed in attacks on Election Day, and female voter participation and protection remains at a level below what Afghan males enjoy.”
In a speech on the House Floor this afternoon, Rep. Grayson explained his legislation. H. Res. 600, “expresses support for a credible, inclusive, and transparent run-off election, supports the mandate of Afghan electoral bodies to prevent voter fraud and misconduct, encourages the Government of Afghanistan to implement measures that will increase voter participation – particularly among the Afghan female population, urges security forces to continue to provide protection to vulnerable areas of the country during the election period, and recognizes the sacrifices of those forces that have contributed, and will continue to contribute, to the security and stability of Afghanistan.”
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“This resolution also underscores the need for a credible election and a successful political transition,” he said in closing. “This is an exciting time [in Afghanistan], Mr. Speaker, and it is an important one. American forces have been in Afghanistan for more than a decade, and most are now coming home. This election will be crucial in proving to the world that Afghanistan is ready again to chart its own course and to provide for its own security.”
While speaking in support of H. Res. 600, the Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Republican Congressman Ed Royce (CA-39) thanked Grayson for the legislation. “I will just take a moment to recognize the gentleman from Florida, Mr. Grayson, for his initiative in introducing this bill and for his commitment to the success of democratic governance in Afghanistan.”
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Preceding provided by Rep. Alan Grayson of Florida