Residents of western Herat province on Tuesday welcomed the beginning of the Presidential campaigns, which have seen a flurry of activity from the candidates who only have until April 2 to win over voters.
 
Herat residents were overwhelmingly positive about the campaigns, calling them a step in the right direction. However, there were also warnings about improprieties, suggesting there is still some mistrust amongst voters that candidates will have to overcome.
 
“The candidate campaigns began very well in Herat province and the people would be get the right ideas if the campaigns continue as they are now," a Herat resident named Ahmad Wahid told TOLOnews.

A focus of those responding to the campaign kick-off was the shift away from identity politics - voting based on ethnicity, language and region - toward policy politics - voting based on platforms, strategies and experience.
 
“I think that we should fight by the idea, the pen and our knowledge in order to have an improved, free and dignified country," another Herat resident named Nafisa Karimi said.
 
“I think that people now know to vote for plans and programs instead of ethnicity and region," Herat resident Fatima Jaafari told TOLOnews.
 
The electoral office of Zalmai Rassoul opened in Herat province on Tuesday, and its administrators got right to business, looking to persuade the public of their man's worth.
 
“Our plans will answer all the country's problems, including government, society and the problems that we have in various other areas,” a campaign aid in Rassoul's Herat office named Abdul Hadi Khaled said.
 
Until now, seven out of the 11 Presidential candidates have opened their offices in Herat.