Nearly two weeks into the Presidential campaigns, candidates rallied supporters on Thursday and finally began expanding their presence beyond Kabul.
Tribal leaders and community organizers from seven districts of Kabul announced their support for Presidential candidate Abdul Rab Rasoul Sayyaf. However, Sayyaf's campaign officials have reported of his increasing campaign activities in other provinces as well.
"I ask the commanders, clerics and guests that are gathered here to vote for Ustad Sayyaf," Kabul MP Anwar Oryakhail said.
Crticisms have mounted over the past week against the candidates and their campaign strategies. The 11 Presidential hopefuls have not left Kabul until now, while most voters around the country remain unaware of the campaigns.
Officials from Dr. Abdullah Abdullah's campaign on Thursday called for the support of people in Laghman and Nangarhar provinces.
While discussing his future plans, Presidential candidate Dauod Sultanzoy promised a crowd gathered that he would reform the education system and improve university education.
"If I win, I will save universities from the out-dated state and standardize them," Sultanzoy said.
Dr. Zalmai Rasoul met with his supporters at a gathering in Nangarhar today.
"If you misuse your vote, you will be responsible to Allah and his prophet. Vote for someone who is honest and serves the people," Nangarhar MP Hazrat Ali said at the Rasoul rally.
Dr. Ashraf Ghani's Presidential campaign team was said to have met with a number of their supporters in Nimroz province.
There is an obvious desparity between the level of engagement with the election process in Kabul versus the rest of the country. However, with over a month remaining before the vote, there is time for the candidates to cover more ground and reach more people.