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Gulbuddin Hekmatyar-led militant group Hizb-e-Islami said that the group will participate in the upcoming presidential election in 2014 if it was fair and transparent.
Speaking to TOLOnews in Pakistan, the party's political adviser Ghairat Baheer responded to the Afghan Independent Elections Commission (IEC) chief's call last week for the group to participate in the upcoming presidential election, saying it accepts an elected government.
"Hizb-e-Islami accepts an elected government. We have strong commitments and beliefs in the elections within our own party. We will participate in the upcoming presidential election if its transparent and fair," Baheer told TOLOnews in an exclusive interview on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Afghan politicians backed the IEC invitation saying that anyone who accepts Afghanistan's constitution has the right to participate in the elections.
"Anyone who renounces violence, accepts Afghanistan's constitution and believes in democracy can participate in the elections. We welcome them," Afghan political expert and member of Rights and Justice party Moeen Marastyla said told TOLOnews.
Political analyst Wahid Muzhda believes that Hekmatyar will not run for election himself but instead will support one of the candidates.
"I don't think Gulbuddin Hekmatyar will nominate himself for the presidential election, but he may support one of the candidates," he said Sunday.
IEC chief Fazel Ahmad Manawe on Wednesday called on the Taliban and other armed opposition groups to renounce violence and engage politically.
"I urge the Taliban, Hizb-e-Islami and other armed groups to choose the right path and renounce violence because war is not a solution for peace," Manawe said at a press briefing in Kabul.
"We are even prepared to pave the ground for the armed opposition, be it the Taliban or Hezb-i-Islami, to participate in the election, either as voters or candidates."