Four days have passed since the Independent Election Commission officially announced the start the registration process for presidential candidates, but Afghanistan’s major political parties have not finalized their election tickets.
The deputy head of Meshrano Jirga speaker Mohammad Alam Ezedyar and member of Jamiat-e-Islami party on Sunday said Jamiat has not yet reached a final decision about nominating its candidate for July 20 presidential elections.
He said that top members of the party are holding meetings and consultations with a number of potential candidates. However he did not clarify whether these meetings were underway from Jamiat’s address.
“Jamiat’s views about the electoral tickets are dispersed. A final decision has not been made about it. In our view, the figures have all taken their decisions and joined various electoral tickets,” said Ezedyar.
Meanwhile, officials from Gulbuddin Hekmatyar-led Hizb-e-Islami said there is possibility that Hekmatyar will run for president.
“If the party (Hizb-e-Islami) does not reached an agreement with other parties on a single election ticket, there is huge possibility that it come up with an independent candidate,” said Ghairat Bahir, member of the leadership council of Hizb-e-Islami.
Meanwhile, officials from National Islamic Movement of Afghanistan, led by First Vice President Abdul Rashid Dostum, said Dostum has held talks with political leaders and Jihadi figures including Hizb-e-Islami leader Gulbuddin Hekmatyar and Salahuddin Rabbani, leader of Jamiat-e-islami party and Acting Foreign Minister, to discuss elections.
“In his meeting with the general (Abdul Rashid Dostum), Mr. Hekmatyar expressed his recommendation like a candidate. Talks were also held with Salahuddin Khan Rabbani, but an agreement has been done so far with any of them and the meetings are underway,” said Abdullah Qarloq, deputy head of National Islamic Movement of Afghanistan.
The registration process of presidential candidates was started last week on Thursday and will continue for another two weeks.
Abdul Latif Pedram and Hakim Torsan are the only candidates who have filed nomination papers so far to run for president.
Source: https://www.tolonews.com/elections-2018/political-parties-yet-decide-ele...
