Former minister of foreign affairs, Zalmai Rassoul, on Tuesday registered for upcoming presidential elections for the second time.
He also ran for president in 2014 elections in which he was one of the leading candidates in the first round of the elections in April.
This time, Rassoul is accompanied by Abdul Jabbar Taqwa and Ghulam Ali Wahdat as his running mates.
So far, five candidates including Rassoul have registered for 2019 presidential elections.
In an address to reporters after registering for presidential elections at the Independent Election Commission, Rassoul said he will fight against discrimination and inequalities and will work for peace and democracy in the country.
“I am committed to fighting against discrimination, prejudice and inequality and will continue to work for peace, security and democracy,” Rassoul told reporters.
In a response to a question about transparency in elections, Rassoul said he will defend the rights of Afghanistan’s people.
“It is the duty of the election commission to act in a manner that does not betray the people’s vote. It is the duty of the commission to do its job and if the commission does not show transparency, then the commission is responsible to the people of Afghanistan and we will defend the rights of the Afghan people,” he said.
Rassoul stressed the need for peace and stability in the country to move forward elections.
“The Constitution of Afghanistan is clear now. If amendments are brought the Constitution that is also described in the Constitution,” Rassoul said as he responded to a question about his stance on a change in government’s system after the elections.
Rassoul served as minister of transport and civil Aviation in 2002, as chairman of National Security Council from 2002-2010, and as minister of foreign affairs from January 2010 to October 2013.
He accompanied Afghan President Hamid Karzai on all official visits since the establishment of the Interim Administration in 2001. He resigned as foreign minister on 5 October 2013 to stand as a candidate in the 2014 presidential elections.
He was born in 1942 in Kabul.
