Date: October 9, 2004 Time: 12:00 noon FEFA welcomes turn out and peaceful process so far, but cites deficiencies in the process. The Free and Fair Elections Foundation of Afghanistan (FEFA) is very pleased by the active participation of the Afghans in their first presidential elections. The overall security situation and the voters’ participation in the process are so far very good. The Foundation, established to observe the first elections in Afghanistan, has deployed more than 2300 observers all around the country and in Pakistan to observe the process. FEFA has been able to get updates from various provinces and Pakistan about the conduct of the voting. The most prevalent incident reported so far is the problem in the polling centers regarding the indelible ink that marks the finger of the voters is easily removeable. FEFA observers have noticed this problem in many provinces including Kabul, Mazar, Kunduz, Herat, Bamiyan, Ningarhar, Kandahar, where the ink was not properly applied and was easily removable. In Jalalabad, Kandahar, Kabul and other provinces voters complained about two different kinds of ink being used: one of them is washable. In some polling stations the necessary equipment was not available at the start of the voting process. Pens, ink, and even ballot boxes were missing. In some stations JEMB staffing levels were considerably lower than the official tally indicated (even in Kabul). Our observers have also noticed the lack of knowledge of the official procedures by JEMB officials in almost all parts of the country. Reports from the capital and the provinces state that officials in the polling centers went behind the voting screens to guide the people on how to mark the ballot papers and who to vote for. The problem was particularly seen in Paktia, Jalalabad, and Herat, where people were told to vote for some particular candidates. In other cases, the station supervisors requested the advice of our observers or candidate agents. This obvious lack of training and preparedness makes it worrying that some polling stations were completely devoid of observers and candidate agents. We consider that the Ministry of Interior is violating the JEMB regulations, by directing their officers not to allow anyone in the center, except the voters. This violation includes not allowing the observers inside the polling stations. This problem was seen in Kunduz and different parts of Kabul, including the Ministry of Women’s Affairs. Instead of keeping order, the police was helping some of the candidates campaign inside the polling centers. Many posters of the candidates were seen inside and outside of the centers, while the JEMB regulations say that the posters should not be visible in the 100 meters distance from the centers. FEFA also wants to denounce the problems faced by Afghan voters in Pakistan: those who have registered in Afghanistan are not allowed to vote in Pakistan. According to FEFA sources these numbered a thousand already in Peshawar alone, at 10.00 am. Considering the abovementioned facts, FEFA appeals to the JEMB to immediately redress the shortcomings and failures of the process. JEMB must find a solution to allow Afghan voters in Pakistan to cast their votes. FEFA also recommends that JEMB pay extra careful attention to the transport of the ballot boxes and the counting process. But above all, FEFA wants to congratulate the Afghan people on their strong participation in the process and encourages them to continue showing such enthusiasm for the elections.