The Council of Presidential Candidates on Monday reiterated their call for the establishment of a caretaker government to ensure transparency in the upcoming poll.
The council, comprised of 12 presidential runners, said the tenure of President Ghani had already ended and continuation of his work was a blatant violation of the constitution, calling on the president to either step down or give up on his bid for presidency.
They said that an illegitimate government cannot be expected to hold legitimate election that can be acceptable to all sides.
The candidates staged a rally in Kabul with thousands of people chanting for a caretaker government.
Speaking to the rally, former National Security Advisor and prominent presidential runner Mohammad Haneef Atmar said that an illegitimate government cannot hold legitimate election; therefore the power should be handed over to a caretaker government.
“In accordance with the constitution, we want a caretaker president to hold free and fair vote, because an illegitimate government cannot hold legitimate poll,” Atmar said.
He also accused the Ghani-led government of being a major threat to upcoming presidential election and national unity of the country.
Atmar further added that the incumbent government has opposed all steps and efforts for peace and reconciliation process.
Meanwhile, Atmar claimed that the incumbent government is attempting to spark divisions among people in a bid to extend its reign over power.
Atmar also added that the incumbent government wants the election to be conducted under its administration.
Furthermore, Atmar accused the government of attempting to steal the votes of the people as it did during the parliamentary election.
Atmar further went on to say the incumbent government is preparing for a widespread and massive fraud during the presidential elections.
Atmar said they want an interim government and president as per the constitution of Afghanistan in a bid to pave the way for a transparent election.
