Source: militarygear

Afghanistan's Independent Election Commission (IEC) President Fazil Ahmad Manawi on Wednesday announced that Taliban leaders and other rebels can participate in the Presidential Election to be held on April 5, 2014. In a media conference in Kabul, Manawi said that IEC is prepared to pave the ground for the armed opposition, be it the Taliban or Hezb-e Islami, to participate in the election, either as voters or candidates. He stressed that the IEC promises no discrimination among candidates. According to Afghani law, the Presidential Election’s voters are individuals who are not identified with any party. Nominated candidates will be announced on November 16, 2013. Preliminary results will be announced on April 24, 2014 and the official result will be released on May 14, 2014, to coincide with provincial council elections.