KABUL (PAN): The Independent Election Commission (IEC) on Sunday announced an end to the candidate registration process ahead of next year’s landmark presidential and provincial council polls.
Addressing a media briefing in Kabul, IEC Chairman Mohammad Yousuf Nuristani said the three-week registration drive had formally come to a close at 4pm, with 27 individuals filing nomination papers.
Ziaul Haq Amarkhel, the panel’s spokesman, hailed the candidates’ registration campaign as a major achievement. He said a total of 2,360 people including 273 women had registered their names for provincial election.
Registered in the dying moments of the final day were Khadija Ghaznavi, Zabihullah, Dr. Nader Naderi, Noor Rahman Liwal, Abdul Hadi Dabir, Daud Sultanzoy, Hamidullah Qadiri, Hidayat Amin Arsala, Salman Ali Dostzada, Farooq Azam, Sardar Mohammad Naeem, Zalmai Rassoul, Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai and Qayyum Karzai -- a brother of President Hamid Karzai.
Gul Agha Sherzai, Abdul Rahim Wardak, Syed Eshaq Gelani, Qutbuddin Helal, Hashmat Ghani Ahmadzai, Dil Agha Kohdamani, Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, Abdul Rab Rassoul Sayyaf, Bismillah Sher, Fazal Karim Najimi, Azizullah Ludin and Anwarul-Haq Ahadi also filed nomination papers.
Ludin picked up Abdul Rahim Karimi as his first vice president and Hamidullah Rahimi as his second VP. Ahadi selected Hashmatullah Mujaddedi as his first vice-president and Ismail Qasamyar -- a former member of the High Peace Council (HPC) -- as second vice-president.
Accompanied by dozens of supporters, including MPs and members of the Right and Justice party, Dr. Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai filed his nomination papers with the Independent Elections Commission (IEC) in the morning.
He has picked up the Junbish-i-Millie party chief, Abdul Rashid Dostum, as his first vice-president and ex-minister of higher education Sarwar Danish as his second VP.
Former minister of interior, Hanif Atmar, Moeen Mrastial, Wolesi Jirga members Zahir Qadir, Hameedzai Lalai, Asadullah Sadati and Naqibullah Fayed were among those present on the occasion.
Rassoul picked up Afghanistan National Front head Ahmad Zia Massoud and Bamyan Governor Habiba as his first and second VPs.
Nader Naeem, a grandson of former king Daud Khan, also filed his nomination papers. He told reporters: “I would never betray my country and would do what people want.” He chose Taj Mohammad Akbar and Azizullah Poya as his first and second deputies.
Former transport minister Hamidullah Qadiri also formally joined the presidential race. Mohammad Arif Baraki and Humaira Haqmal are his first and second VPs.
Wolesi Jirga member Daud Sultanzoy registered with the commission, choosing Ahmad Saeed -- a political analyst -- and Kazima Mohaqiq, a university teacher, as his deputies.
Earlier in the day, Dr. Sarwar Ahmadzai filed nomination papers. He pledged to create employment opportunities for youth, ensure peace and bring unity to the country. He has chosen Dr. Abdul Rahman as his first VP and Kabir Quraishi as second.
