A former Taliban leader and election candidate Mullah Abdul Samad Khaksar termed the election as a significant step towards democracy.

"It is my right to contest the election, it is the right of all Afghans to run for the parliamentary polls and strengthen democracy in the country," he told Xinhua at his home province Kandahar Wednesday.

Khaksar, who served as Deputy Interior minister during the Taliban reign, claimed that he has received threat from his former friends warning him to withdraw the contest or face the music.

"Neither the government nor foreign troops have threatened me but the Taliban who vowed to eliminate me if I contest the polls," he added.

However, the bearded Khaksar who runs independently the elections downplayed the warning and said, "Let them kill me but I will not withdraw from the race as I like to serve our people through parliament."

"Our people have suffered a lot. Enough is enough. Any one, either it is Taliban or others, wants to sabotage the peace process is the enemy of the country," the ex-Taliban official noted.

Commenting on the US military presence in Afghanistan, the turbaned Mullah said the coming parliament should decide over it.

About his possible link with the Taliban movement, Khaksar said that he had already severed all kind of relations with the militia.

Khaksar, who is one of the nine former Taliban leaders contesting the legislative polls, said any Afghans irrespective of their political affiliation can stand for the elections

Criticizing his former colleagues, the 48-years old Khaksar said, "It is the time to rebuild our war-ravaged country jointly."

Asked if he was satisfied with government's performance, the former Taliban dignitary responded cautiously.

"Though I have some complaints and reservations but in general I am satisfied that a government is ruling the country and the reconstruction process even it is slow is going on," he stressed.

Taliban regime during its six-year reign which collapsed by US military invasion in late 2001 had banned girl schools, confined women to houses, shutdown music and outlawed all political groups.

"I am sure that with the strengthening of the central government security will be improved and democracy will be boosted, " the ex-fundamentalist Mullah hoped.

Source: Xinhua