The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said it welcomes the clarity in the Afghan presidential election calendar and stressed that all stakeholders have a responsibility for the credibility and legitimacy of the elections process.
The Independent Election Commission Sunday said the highly-anticipated election, scheduled for the coming April, will be delayed by three months and held in July.
The mission "notes the announcement by Afghan electoral authorities for the presidential election to be held in July 2019 and welcomes the clarity in the electoral calendar," the UNAMA said in a statement on Monday.
It said the UN understands that the new date announced by the Afghan officials follows consultations with a broad range of political actors, civil society organisations, and the Government of Afghanistan, all of whom have expressed the strong desire for a credible and transparent presidential election.
"The UN maintains that the presidential election is critical to the future of Afghanistan, and its mismanagement would be unacceptable," the mission said.
The UN acknowledged the Commission's assessment for additional time needed to learn from the 2018 parliamentary election in October, when technical issues and a series of bomb attacks closed polling stations.
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"No one has the right to disrupt the electoral process and the country's stability through incitement or threats," the UMAMA said.
It asked the IEC to publish the detailed election calendar and provide regular public updates throughout the process.
Stressing the UN's commitment to supporting Afghan electoral institutions and credible elections, the UNAMA said it will continue its assistance "and enhance its advisory role to the IEC, as requested."