Chairman Menendez Statement on Elections in Afghanistan

Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement regarding elections in Afghanistan.

“In spite of intimidation by the Taliban, the Afghan people demonstrated their desire to shape the destiny of their country by participating in this weekend’s historic election. The power of democracy was on display from Kabul to Kandahar to the thousands of villages throughout the country as turnout exceeded expectations. I applaud their commitment to the democratic process and a future built on progress, not violence and extremism.

"The Afghan presidential election is an historic marker in our engagement in Afghanistan - many Americans and Afghans sacrificed so much to make this vital presidential election possible.

“This election process will continue over the coming weeks and I urge all candidates to keep their commitments and abide by Afghan election laws so that the final result is credible and genuinely reflects the will of the Afghan people.”

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