John Faulkner (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Hansard source

All senators would be aware that today Afghanistan is going to the polls for its presidential and provincial elections. Polling booths opened some two hours ago. This is the first Afghan run election for 30 years. It is a tribute to the determination of the Afghan people who are holding these elections and providing the security for people wanting to vote, with the assistance of ISAF.

The United Nations says that election campaigning has been robust and vibrant, that 31 candidates are running for president and approximately 3,300 people, including 342 women, have registered as candidates in the provincial council elections. In Oruzgan province ADF personnel have been involved in a number of operations to create secure conditions for the poll. In fact Australia has deployed an extra 120 combat troops to provide that security. Prior to polling day, Australian troops conducted patrols and security operations in the Chora Valley, Dihrawud and Tarin Kowt regions, operations which have severely disrupted Taliban networks, which threaten the safe conduct of the polls. Taliban insurgents have issued multiple threats to disrupt election proceedings. This is a difficult and challenging day for our troops and of course for the Afghan people. I am sure that the wishes of all senators are with them as these elections proceed. (Time expired)