Period between the end of National Unity Government term and presidential election should be discussed at Loya Jirga which is expected to be held in Kabul within a month, Haneef Atmar, a presidential hopeful, said Monday.

Atmar, a former national security adviser to President Ghani, said that the government’s term ends on 22 May, nearly two months before presidential election on 20 July.
“Considering the government’s performance, there is no national trust that the current government could lead us to a free, fair, inclusive and credible election,” Atmar said at a press conference in Kabul. “It is essential that the nation discusses the issue at the Loya Jirga and consider constitutional solutions.”
President Ghani, who is seeking a second five-year term, has previously said that he would remain in office till presidential election results.
Commenting on the government’s dismissal of top election officials, Atmar criticized the decision as unilateral and hasty. He said that the presidential hopefuls should have been consulted beforehand.
Atmar also said that the government was removing its political rivals ahead of the upcoming vote. He said that 12 officials, including Mohammad Mohaqiq, who had links to his election team had been dismissed or forced to resign.
The presidency rejected Atmar’s claims.
Haroon Chakhansoori, a spokesman for President Ghani, said that the dismissals were part of the government’s reform plan.