KABUL - Fazl Rahmand Oria, the spokesman of the National Coalition Party (NCP), on Saturday announced that First Vice-President Marshal Mohammad Qasim Fahim has pledged his support to Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, the leader of the National Coalition of Afghanistan (NCA), in his run-up for the next spring's Presidential election. Additionally, Mr. Oria said that talks are still underway to select a nominee for the post of Second Vice-President.

It is being reportedly said that the NCP's choice of candidate also enjoys the support of Ismail Khan, the Minister of Energy and Water and a former Jihadi leader.

"Marshal Mohammad Qasim Fahim has announced his support, we have welcomed the decision," said Fazl Rahmand Oria, the spokesman of the NCP.

On Tuesday, Er Mohammad Asim, the head of the National Coalition Party (NCP) Secretariat, announced that the newly formed coalition- Afghanistan Electoral Alliance (AEA) had decided to nominate Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, the leader of the National Coalition of Afghanistan (NCA), as the Presidential candidate for the next spring's election.

Mr. Asim further added that Abdul Hadi Arghandiwal, the leader of the Hezb-e-Islami Party (HIP) and Hajji Muhammad Muhaqiq, the leader of the Hezb-e-Wahdat-e-Islami Mardom Afghanistan (HWIMA), will be nominated as the First Vice-President and Second Vice-President, respectively.

The announcement has come in at a time when only a week remains for filing nominations. The Afghan Independent Election Commission (IEC) has set October 6th as the deadline for submitting the nomination papers. So far, only Bismillah Sher, the leader of the Wefaq Millie Party (WMP) has filed his nomination for Presidency.

"The deadline for filing nomination will not be extended. On Saturday the mobile voters' registration programme has been kicked-off across the country," said Noor Mohammad Noor, the spokesman of the IEC.

Once the nomination filing process comes to an end, the electoral candidates will start campaigning to win the trust of the voters. (Tolo News)