Ottawa – Afghanistan’s independent Joint Electoral Management Body and the United Nations Special Mission in Kabul officially announced on Wednesday, November 3, that H.E. Hamid Karzai is the winner of Afghanistan’s first democratic presidential elections.

Omar Samad, the Afghan Ambassador in Canada said, ”we applaud the result of the general elections, pray for the President-elect’s success in steering Afghanistan toward more stability, harmony and prosperity, and call upon the international community to continue to provide the necessary support needed to achieve our common objectives.”

“In the face of threats and intimidations, the people of Afghanistan demonstrated strong determination and courage to defeat their enemies’ agenda and endorse the principles of democracy in accordance with their newly adopted Constitution and national traditions,” added the Ambassador.

More than 80% of the registered Afghan men and women cast ballots, as a result of which President-elect Karzai garnered more than 55% of the popular vote in a contest that included 16 other male and one female candidate. Almost 11 million Afghans, including refugees in Iran and Pakistan, had registered to vote.

A three-member panel of international experts verified allegations of balloting irregularities and determined that despite some discrepancies – mainly caused by lack of proper communication – the process was fair and would not alter the end results.

“This success is partly due to the strong partnership shown by many committed countries that contributed to the promotion of democracy, reconstruction and security in Afghanistan over the last three years,” said Ambassador Samad.

“The Canadians contributed to the process in various fields, and we are grateful for the Canadian Government’s latest expression of continuing support,” added the Afghan envoy.

In a statement released on Wednesday, Foreign Minister Pierre Pettigrew said that Canada “will continue to work with the government and the people of Afghanistan to build a democratic, stable and peaceful country.”

Among the priority challenges facing the President-elect will be forming a competent and representative government, accelerating the processes of reconstruction and demobilization, tackling the remaining problems associated with narcotics, terrorism, corruption and forces that undermine the new order, and building and reforming national institution among others.

It is expected that free Parliamentary and local elections will be held by next Summer.