For Immediate Release
October 11, 2004

International Observers Witness Afghan Display of Democracy
Fact of the Day

Scores of international observers monitored Afghanistan's first-ever direct presidential election on Saturday, including more than 80 election experts from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the European Union, the Asia Network for Free Elections, and the International Republican Institute. In addition, the National Democratic Institute trained more than 1500 domestic observers. The observers have collective experience conducting elections in more than two dozen countries and their group includes scholars and former government officials. The observers noted that, despite some irregularities, the Afghan election was a success. They were particularly impressed by the large turnout and the enthusiastic voters, including women.

Source: Afghan Joint Election Management Body