Mainstream political parties in Afghanistan continue their consultations and debates as the timeline for July 20 presidential elections in the country looms.
This comes at a time that the process for registration of presidential candidates by the Independent Election Commission (IEC) will end in the next five days.
Officials from Gulbuddin Hekmatyar-led Hizb-e-Islami party on Monday said they are still holding talks about finalizing an election ticket to contest in the elections.
Meanwhile, spokesman for Chief Executive Officer Abdullah Abdullah has said that he (Abdullah) so far has not taken a final decision about taking part in the presidential elections, but said that Abdullah is willing this time to participate in the elections with a six-member election ticket.
“Until the time a ticket hasn't been announced and registration hasn't taken place, there is (still) the possibility for change,” said Fazel Ghani Haqmal, spokesman for Hizb-e-Islami.
It seems senior officials from Jamiat-e-Islami party of Afghanistan also have not reached a final conclusion about their electoral team.
“We believe that the existence of the office of chief executive in future structures can guarantee broad-based participation and political stability in Afghanistan,” said CEO spokesman, Mujiburrahman Rahimi.
In addition, deputy chairman of The National Islamic Movement of Afghanistan, led by the First Vice President Abdul Rashid Dostum, said this time Dostum will not run as second vice president in the elections and instead he will nominate someone else from the party for the post.
“His excellency the first vice president this time has decided to nominate one his cadres for the post once he joins any candidate,” said Abdullah Qarloq, deputy chairman of The National Islamic Movement of Afghanistan.
“We have agreed to move together with Junbishi-e-Islami and we are also having discussions with other factions,” said Assadullah Saadati, member of Hizb-e-Wahdat-e-Islami Afghanistan.
Mohammad Karim Khalili-led Hizb-e-Wahdat-e-Islami party of Afghanistan has said the party will work together with National Islamic Movement of Afghanistan as a unified candidate.
The IEC meanwhile said that some candidates were preparing to register.
“Based on contacts we have, some citizens such as Zalmay Rasoul, Faramarz Tamanna and other personalities will register by the end of the week,” said Abdul Aziz Ibrahimi, deputy spokesman for the IEC.
Previously, reports surfaced in the media that incumbent President Ashraf Ghani, former national security advisor Mohammad Hanif Atmar and other political figures will register as candidates. But none of these officials has finalized their nomination to run for president in the elections yet.