BRUSSELS
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen congratulated Afghan people after casting their votes in the presidential and provincial council elections Saturday, deeming it a "historic moment" for the democratic future of Afghanistan.
In a release from the official NATO webpage, Rasmussen was quoted as saying: "Every vote counts, and every single one is a vote for democracy. Afghans, young and old, have clearly shown their determination to have a say in the future of their country and their commitment to a future based on the fundamental principle of democracy." He congratulated the Afghan people for "an impressive turnout and enthusiasm" in the elections.
Rasmussen also congratulated the Afghan security forces for doing an "outstanding" job in securing the elections and with only minimal support from the International Security Assistance Force’s (ISAF) in Afghanistan. "This has truly been an election led by Afghans, secured by Afghans, for the future of Afghans," Rasmussen also said in the statement.
Approximately seven million of the 12 million eligible voters cast ballots, according to a statement from Afghanistan Independent Elections Commission.
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