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

Yes, I am aware of reports that there may be shortages in the number of women officials to assist with the elections. Australia has provided extensive support for the elections, including the training of some 200 female Afghan election observers to allow women to participate in elections. Access to voting stations should be available to at least 85 per cent of Afghanistan’s 16 million registered voters and this includes dedicated polling stations for women. I am encouraged that among the new registered voters some 39 per cent are women. UN Secretary General Special Representative for Afghanistan Kai Eide has said that there have been problems in recruiting electoral officials. (Time expired)