Presidential candidate Mohammad Shahab Hakimi in his first campaign rally on Friday said that he is sure the upcoming presidential election will not be held due to the ongoing peace efforts.

He predicted that an interim government will be held in order to pave the ground for enduring peace and inclusive election.

Mr. Hakimi said peace is a priority for his team, not the election.

“Election is not possible in absence of peace,” Mr. Hakimi said.

He said that the peace talks will reach a conclusion within the next two weeks.

“The peace talks will reach a result in the coming one or two weeks. An interim government will be established hopefully,” Mr. Hakimi said.

Meanwhile, another presidential candidate, Noorullah Jalili, at a campaign rally in Kabul on Friday blamed the government leaders for the current crisis in the country.

“A small mistake in the [presidential] election will face all of us with a big calamity,” Mr. Jalili said.

He vowed to ensure people’ welfare, support women’s rights, improve the country’s economy and open the way for peace if he wins.

Friday was the thirteenth day of the election campaign in which three candidates held public gatherings among their supporters despite threats by the Taliban who warned the people to avoid attending campaign rallies in order to prevent from being harmed.