KABUL (Pajhwok): Daud Sultanzoy, who contested the April 5 presidential polls, announced support to frontrunner Dr. Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai on Wednesday in the runoff -- due on June 14.
Sultanzoy, who did not win a significant portion of votes and trailed far behind in the first round, joined forces with Ghani, who is facing Dr. Abdullah in the runoff.
The announcement was made at a huge gathering in Kabul, where the former World Bank economist was present. Sultanzoy said he had consulted his team before announcing support to Ghani.
Ghani and Abdullah have begun quests to garner support of their former rivals and with them, the voters whose loyalty they command.
Sultanzoy said his and Ghani’s team had the same objectives of promoting justice and supremacy of law in the country, saying their views about Afghanistan’s future were the same.
“The words of Ghani are not mere slogans, he has a practical programme and has the ability to eliminate corruption and overhaul the political system,” said Sultanzoy.
He cited the country’s protection from threats and challenges posed by insurgents another reason that prompted him to join Ghani camp.
Sultanzoy said Ghani had a special plan how to strengthen democracy in Afghanistan and how to enable the Afghans to make strong their political system and the government. He asked his supporters to vote for Ghani in the second round of elections.
Ghani told the gathering that national unity and law enforcement were key parts of his agenda. He added no one should be threatened to vote against their will.
He said the Afghans had never surrendered to a force, but had always defeated those trying to overpower them with force.
Ghani asked the government to maintain its neutrality in the runoff elections and challenged his rival Abdullah to a televise debate on their future plans.
He questioned how someone, who skipped TV talk shows, could govern the country.
Final results from the April 5 elections put Abdullah in the lead with 45 percent of votes cast, with Ghani finishing runner up with 31.6 percent.
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