Written question asked by Joan Ruddock (Labour) on Friday, 27 June 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 7 July 2003. It was answered by Mike O'Brien (Labour) on Monday, 7 July 2003 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what provision has been made by United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan and the Afghan Transitional Authority to register returning refugees, internally displaced peoples and nomads for democratic elections scheduled to take place in 2004.

Answer: Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what provision has been made by United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan and the Afghan Transitional Authority to register returning refugees, internally displaced peoples and nomads for democratic elections scheduled to take place in 2004. [123028] Mr. Mike O'Brien: The UN Assistance Mission to Afghanistan (UNAMA) is working closely with the Afghan Transitional Administration to develop a programme of voter registration. Plans are still being finalised but we understand from UNAMA that the national registration process will encompass Internally Displaced Peoples, returning refugees and nomads. The actual process of registration is scheduled to begin in August and run through the winter until March 2004. Subject to security constraints, rural areas, which are less accessible in winter, will be registered first followed then by urban areas.

Secondary information