Monday, June 25, 2012
Kabul (BNA) The contract for the Japanese assistance was signed yesterday by Fazel Ahmad Manawi chairman of the Independent Election Commission (IEC) and the Japanese ambassador to Kabul in presence of the head of the UNDP office. 
Manawi said at the signing ceremony that the Japanese assistance will be expended through the UN development programs for upgrading the capacities of the IEC employees and its infrastructural projects. 
He added that the money will be expended in Balkh, Kunduz, Bamyan, Herat, Nangarhar, Paktia, Daikundi, Jawzjan and Laghman and for creation of three regional election offices.  
The Japanese ambassador said that his country is prepared to assist the IEC for the 2014 election in capacity building of the IEC employees and its infrastructure projects. 
He added that Japan from 2001 to date has assisted USD103 million for holding of transparent elections in Afghanistan, adding that the 2014 elections will be led by the Afghans and the international community will assist Afghanistan in the financial and technical spheres. 
Meanwhile, the UNDP chief said that we want that before the Afghanistan’s elections as per the previous commitments attain the assistance of the donor countries and based on that the 2014 election is held.