US Codex
Bill
Notes

S. Res. 151 — what changed

Urging the Government of Afghanistan to ensure transparent and credible presidential and provincial elections in April 2014 by adhering to internationally accepted democratic standards, establishing a transparent electoral process, and ensuring security for voters and candidates.

From Reported in Senate to Agreed to Senate. 1 section amended between Reported in Senate and Agreed to Senate.

That the Senate—

(1)
changed affirms that the electoral process in Afghanistan should be determined and led by Afghan actors, with support from the international community, and should not be subject to internal and or external interference;
(2)
expresses its strong support for credible, inclusive, and transparent presidential and provincial elections in April 2014;
(3)
changed urges the Government of Afghanistan to conduct the elections in full accordance with the Constitution of Afghanistan, to include maintaining the quota constitutionally-mandated allocation of seats for women’s parliamentary participation;
(4)
changed honors the sacrifice of United States, coalition, and Afghan servicemembers service members who have been killed or injured since October 2001 in defense of the democratic rights of the Afghan people;
(5)
changed recognizes the substantial investment made by the United States taxpayers in support of stability stability, democracy, and democracy the rule of law in Afghanistan;Afghanistan, including efforts to end public corruption;
(6)
changed recognizes the contributions made by the government commitment of President Hamid Karzai to the democratic progress Government of Afghanistan, including statements by President Karzai committing Afghanistan to hold presidential elections in 2014 and the current president's commitment not to seek a third term;
(7)
changed recognizes that transparent and credible elections will help safeguard the legitimacy of the next Afghan government and will help prevent future violence by groups that may be ready to contest a process perceived as rigged or dishonest;
(8)
changed recognizes that a democratically elected democratically-elected and legitimate government is as important to ensuring the long-term long term stability of Afghanistan Afghanistan, as is the successful training and fielding of the Afghan National Security Forces;
(9)
changed urges the Government of Afghanistan to recognize respect and support the independence and impartiality of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and the need for an independent and impartial elections complaints mechanism with clear jurisdiction over the final results, and urges all parties not to interfere with their deliberations;
(10)
urges the Parliament of Afghanistan to pass legislation that will establish a consultative and inclusive process for appointing elections commissioners and allowing election disputes to be resolved transparently and fairly;
(11)
urges the IEC to adopt measures to better mitigate fraud, include marginalized groups, and improve electoral transparency of the polling and counting process and communicate these measures clearly and consistently to the people of Afghanistan;
(12)
urges the Government of Afghanistan to support a credible and effective electoral complaints mechanism whereby its members are perceived as impartial, it is given the ultimate authority on deciding whether a ballot or candidate is disqualified, and it has the time and resources to do its work;
(13)
urges close and continuing communication between the IEC and the Afghan National Security Forces to identify and provide security for vulnerable areas of the country during the election period;
(14)
urges the Afghan National Security Forces to make every necessary effort to ensure the safety of voters and candidates;
(15)
changed expresses its support for the full participation of Afghan civil society in the election process; andprocess;
(16)
added urges the President of the United States to ensure that all United States Government efforts in Afghanistan are well-coordinated and are fully consistent with the American taxpayers longstanding commitment to stability, democracy, and the rule of law in Afghanistan, including efforts to end public corruption; and
(17)
renumbered was (17) urges the Secretary of State to condition financial, logistical, and political support for Afghanistan's 2014 elections based on the implementation of reforms in Afghanistan including—
(A)
renumbered was (17)(2) increased efforts to encourage women’s participation in the electoral process, including provisions to ensure their full access to and security at polling stations;
(B)
renumbered was (17)(3) the implementation of measures to prevent fraudulent registration and manipulation of the voting or counting processes, including—
(i)
renumbered was (17)(3)(2) establishment of processes to better control ballots;
(ii)
renumbered was (17)(3)(3) vetting of and training for election officials; and
(iii)
renumbered was (17)(3)(4) full accreditation of and access for international and domestic election observers; and
(C)
renumbered was (17)(4) prompt passage of legislation through the Parliament of Afghanistan that codifies the authorities and independence of the IEC and an independent and impartial election complaints mechanism.