Afghan presidential hopefuls promise to bring reforms, ensure peace

Almost all Afghan presidential hopefuls in their maiden speeches to the nation have promised to make reforms and bring about viable peace in the country as two- month election campaign for presidential candidates in formally kicked off in the country. Eleven politicians, including two former ministers and one defense ministers, are in the race to secure the country's top slot and lead the establishment for the next five years. The ex-foreign minister and presidential runner Zalmai Rassoul, in maiden electioneering here in Kabul, on Monday vowed to boost up democracy in the country if wins elections. "I am announcing today that I firmly believe in democracy and would further boost it by supporting freed of press, bolstering security and fighting corruption if wins the coming elections," Rassoul promised in a public meeting here. Abdullah Abdullah, who challenged the serving president Hamid Karzai in 2009 presidential elections, in his address on Sunday, the first day of electioneering, promised "to enforce laws equally, maintaining security, ensuring good governance, strictly fighting corruption, alleviating poverty, creating jobs and strengthening relations with the international community on the basis of mutual respect." Another presidential candidate Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai, in address among his supporters on Sunday, identified economic, judicial and constitutional reforms, reigning in the bureaucracy and evenhanded development of the country as his top priorities if elected as next president of the war-torn country. "We should join hands to rescue Afghanistan from political and economic turmoil," another presidential hopeful, Gul Agha Sherzai said on his first day of electioneering. A former warlord and ex-governor of Nangarhar province, Shirzai added, "If elected as president of the country, I would solve all the problems of the country by bringing peace, initiating reconstruction projects, expanding higher education and forging good relations with the neighboring states and the international community." Abdul Qayum Karzai the brother of incumbent president Hamid Karzai is another politician contesting the race to replace his brother via voting in the coming presidential elections scheduled for April 5 this year and lead the country for the next five years. "In addition to defending and protecting the achievements which the country has made over the past 12 years, I would bring reforms and strengthen the country's economy to improve living conditions of the people," Qayum Karzai promised in his address at a public meeting the other day.