UN chief congratulates Afghans on presidential election run-off

UNITED NATIONS (Xinhua) - UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Saturday congratulated Afghan people for exercising their right to vote in the second round of the presidential election on Saturday.

"The participation of men and women across the country demonstrates, once again, the commitment of the Afghan people to shape the future of their country and to reject violence and intimidation," said a statement issued by Ban's spokesperson.

The UN chief commended the performance of the Afghan security forces and all those involved in supporting the conduct of the vote, including the Independent Electoral Commission and thousands of Afghan observers.

"It is the task now of the Afghan electoral institutions to tally and adjudicate votes in an impartial, transparent and timely manner," the statement said.

The Secretary-General also encouraged the candidates and their supporters to respect the electoral process and the mandate of the electoral institutions. "In the weeks to come it is critical that Afghanistan preserves the unity, optimism and spirit of inclusiveness reflected in Saturday's vote," said the statement.

On Saturday, Afghan voters began casting their ballots in the presidential runoff, which marks the first-ever transfer of power from one elected leader to another in Afghan history.

Voters were choosing between Abdullah Abdullah and ex-World Bank economist Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzaiwill to succeed President Hamid Karzai. Neither of the candidates achieved the necessary 50 percent plus one result in the April 5.

The preliminary results of the runoff will be clear on July 2 while the final result of the polls will be announced on July 22.