Afghan presidential election campaign kicks off

KABUL- Campaign for the Afghan presidential election in late September started on Sunday amid growing attacks and fear of frauds in the militancy-plagued country.

A total of 18 candidates, including incumbent President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, embarked on a two-month campaign which will conclude on Sept 25.

A statement of the election commission said the campaign would conclude 48 hours before voting. Besides ensuring transparency in the upcoming presidential poll, the election body also called on all eligible voters to use their franchise in favor of their favorite candidates on election day.

Meantime, contenders including former spy chief Rahmatullah Nabil have accused President Ghani of using government facilities for the electoral campaign.

The upcoming presidential election slated for Sept 28 is the fourth held in the conflict-battered country since the collapse of Taliban regime in late 2001.

Taliban militants, who have intensified activities and had opposed holding elections in the past, are yet to comment on the presidential campaign in the war-ravaged country.