Statement by the Prime Minister of Canada

Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued the following statement after Afghanistan's Independent Election Commission proclaimed President Hamid Karzai the victor of the 2009 elections in Afghanistan:

“Canada recognizes the appropriate decision made by the Afghan Independent Election Commission (IEC) to forgo a second round of voting in the 2009 Presidential Election. 

“Throughout the recent election in Afghanistan, Canada urged all parties to abide by the Afghan Constitution.  President Hamid Karzai’s willingness to participate in a second ballot vote demonstrated this commitment to the democratic process.  We congratulate President Karzai on his victory and look forward to him quickly forming a national government that will work for the benefit of all Afghans.

“While these Afghan-led elections were not without challenges, it is important to consider how far the Afghan electoral process has come since the fall of the Taliban.  Afghans mobilized in the millions to organize, campaign and vote. 

“Looking ahead, I urge the new government of Afghanistan to place an emphasis on security and good governance.  This must be done by establishing strong, democratic and accountable national institutions that are committed to delivering basic services and strengthening efforts to combat corruption. 

“Canada is in Afghanistan to help Afghans rebuild their country as a stable, democratic and self-sufficient society.  Canada will continue to work with our partners in Afghanistan to advance the values of freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law.”