KABUL - Ministry of Education (MoE) spokesman Kabir Haqmal on Monday encouraged students and teachers to remain neutral during the election season, and admonished Presidential candidates about involving students in their campaigns.

With the Presidential campaigns kicking off on Sunday, many have weighed in on the candidates and what can be expected in the next two months as the elections near.

Haqmal emphasized that students should not get involved in the campaigning and political theatre of the elections, but still needed to cast votes in April when it comes time.

"The students and all other groups should vote for their favorite candidate," Haqmal said.

"But our demand for the Presidential candidates is that they avoid using academic institutions for campaign purposes and don't misuse the precious time of the students and avoid exploiting them for political motives," he added. "We have strived to keep the children out of politics."

It was unclear about exactly what ages of "students" Haqmal was discussing, or if he was differentiating between the role older, voting-age students and the younger ones.

The Presidential candidates' campaigns are expected to run until April 2. (Tolonews)