KABUL - The Independent Election Commission (IEC) removed eight more potential presidential election runners from the contenders’ list, bringing down the total strength of the candidates to 19 running for the race.

Well-placed source in the IEC told Pajhwok Afghan News on Sunday those candidates made on the go included Dr. Zalmai Rasoul, Abdul Rahim Wardak, Hamidullah Qadiri, Sarwar Ahmadzai, Hashmat Ghani Ahmadzai, Noor Rahman Lewal, Nadir Shah Ahmadzai and Dr. Dawar Ahmad Nadi.

The scrutiny process was underway, which could remove 11 more contenders from the presidential election list, the IEC source added.

Without offering minute details, an IEC commissioner wishing not to be named said the body prompted to remove the hopefuls because “most of them have problems in their documents.”

The assessment of the candidates’ documents was underway, which was expected to be completed by end of the day, he noted.

Earlier, the IEC removed Dil Agha Kohdamani--- a presidential hopeful--- in the first process following his failure to measure up on the established rules of the election body.

As many as 27 candidates had filed their nomination papers for the presidential election; however, the scrutiny process of their papers could further slash the total number of the runners.

The IEC was scheduled to announce the list of the nominees Saturday but technical problems caused delay to finalize the list.

IEC Spokesman Noor Mohammad Noor said the foreign ministry had given them the information regarding the dual citizenships of the candidates, which caused the delay.

As per country’s constitution, the presidential contender should have only Afghan citizenship. He said the security process would last till Monday while the final list would be announced tomorrow or Tuesday.

After announcement the final list, the Election Complaint Commission (ECC) would hear and subsequently evaluate complaints of the people about the presidential hopefuls.

Nadir Muhsini, the ECC secretary and spokesperson said around 16 people had lodged their complaints so far with most of them were related to the provincial council contenders.

After the assessment of the complaints, the ECC would submit its list to the IEC, which would then announce the final list. According to the schedule of the election body, the final list of the candidates would be announced on November 16, 2013.

At least 27 candidates have filed their papers for presidential race while 3,000 contenders have filed nominations for provincial council elections, the IEC added. (Pajhwok)