KABUL - Consultations are ongoing among politicians and political parties to make alliances and field consensus presidential candidates, but no group has so far reached an agreement.
The Independent Election Commission (IEC) has already announced December 19 for registration of presidential candidates. The local media has also focused on possible electoral alliances and introduction of consensus presidential candidates.
President Ashraf Ghani, Chief Executive Officer Abdullah Abdullah, Atta Mohammad Noor, Mohammad Hanif Atmar, Umar Daudzai, Ahmad Walli Massoud, Shaida Abdali and some others appear to be possible presidential candidates in the 2019 presidential polls.
In the meantime, some politically known faces have resigned their posts with the apparent aim to contest the April 20 presidential election by creating an electoral team or supporting an individual or group.
Former National Security Advisor Mohammad Hanif Atmar, Finance Minister Eklil Hakimi Deputy Foreign Minister Hikmat Khalil Karzai, Urban Affairs Minister Syed Mansour Naderi, Deputy Head of National Security Council Abdul Hakim Noorzai, Afghanistan’s Ambassador to Pakistan Omar Zakhelwal, Afghanistan’s Ambassador to India Shaida Abdali are some political leaders who have recently resigned from their posts.
A reliable source wishing anonymity said four electoral alliances had been formed so far.
Mohammad Ashraf Ghani with Atta Mohammad Noor and Sarwar Danish as his deputies would be supported by Gulbuddin Hikmatyar, Mohammad Karim Khalili, Sibghatullah Mujadidi, Pir Syed Hamid Gilani, Arian Youn, Abdul Wahid Qatali, Shakir Kargar, Abdul Rauf Ibrahimi, Ziaul HaqAmarkhel and Haji Almas as one electoral team.
Earlier, President Ghani has said he will contest the next presidential election.
During a recent interview with Bloomberg, Ghani said he wanted to contest the Presidential Poll in order end the 17-year-old war in Afghanistan.
An individual close to Atta Mohammad Noor on the condition of anonymity told Pajhwok Afghan News that Noor wanted to enter the presidential race as an independent candidate or as first deputy to another candidate.
Noor had earlier said he was preparing for presidential polls and has launched discussions with his close aides and partners.
Nader Afghan, spokesman for the Hezb-i-Islami Afghanistan (HIA), said they had launched consultations with political parties, ulema and influential personalities regarding the presidential polls.
He said the HIA would take a decision after consultations with people whether or not to field an independent candidate or support another electoral team.
Dr. Abdullah with Khalid Pashtun, Mohammad Muhaqqiq as his second and first deputies has formed another electoral ticket supported by Gen. Dostum, Salahuddin Rabbani, Fazal Ahmad Manawi, Fawzia Kofi, Haji Zahir Qadir, Humayon Humayon, Abdul Hadi Arghandiwal, Abdul Waheed Sabawon, Hikmat Khalil Karzai and MirwaisYasini.
A source close to Abdullah said the CEO is one of the leading candidates for presidency, but his team is yet to confirm it.
Office of the incumbent First Deputy President Gen. Abdul Rashid Dostum could not be reached for comment.
Mohammad Hanif Atmar and  Younis Qanoni, Abbas Noyan as his deputies and supported by Gen. Din Mohammad Jurat, Jamal Nasir Usoli, Bano Helli Ershad, Jilani Popal, Mohammad Umar Zakhelwal and Ghulam FarooqWardak is another electoral alliance.
Mohammad Umar Daudzai with Mohammad Ismael Khan and Sadiq Mudabir as his deputies and supported by Hamid Karzai, Ustad Abdul Rab Rasoul Sayyaf, Ustad Mohammad Akbari, Fazal HadiMuslimyar, Zara Ahmad Muqbil, Gen. Abdul Rahim Wardak, Dr. Rangin Dadfar Spanta, Eklil Hakimi, Mohammad Ayoub Salangi, Abdul Jabbar Taqwa, Dr. Ahmad Mushahid, Zalmai Mujadidi, Mohammad Alem Sae, Rahmatullah Nabil and Abdul Karim Khurram is another electoral alliance to contest the presidential polls.
Syed Maisam Ihsani, head of Umar Daudzai’s media office, confirmed that Daudzai would contest the presidential polls and would never become deputy to another candidate.
Besides the above four electoral alliances for presidential polls, Ahmad Walli Masoud, Anwarul HaqAhadi and Shaida Mohammad Abdali have announced they would either create electoral tickets or may support another possible candidate.
Ahmad Walli Massoud, head of the Massoud Foundation, told Pajhwok Afghan News: “I plan to contest the Presidential Election and the creation of our team is being mulled over.”
Anwarul Haq Ahadi, head of the New Afghanistan National Front, said: “I will try to be an independent candidate but if the decision to support another candidate would be taken later.”
Syed Jawad Hussiani, spokesman for the New Afghanistan National Front, announced Ahadi as their candidate for the upcoming polls and added consultations were underway regarding independently contesting the polls or supporting an alliance. (Pajhwok)