Secretary-General Congratulates People of Egypt for Will to Achieve Democratic

 

Change, Reiterates Imperative for Continued Credible Electoral Process

 

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General has followed with great interest and expectation the first stage of the parliamentary elections in Egypt.  He congratulates the people of Egypt for their determination to achieve a democratic change in their country and for their contribution to the overall democratic transformation in North Africa and the Middle East.

He commends the population and authorities of Egypt for the enthusiastic participation in this first stage of the electoral process and for the generally calm and orderly manner in which voting took place.

This was the first stage of an electoral process which will continue in the coming weeks and months, as an important step towards the establishment of civilian rule.  The Secretary-General reiterates that it is crucial, as part of the democratic transition, for the entire electoral process to continue to be held in a credible and peaceful manner.

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