Interesting observations from the Washington Post on a typical political rally in Afghanistan, this one by an opposition candidate to Karzai.
His gathering strength may lead to a run-off election in a few months to decide an eventual winner, with Karzai not a sure fire guarantee. Either way, there's a genuine race.
"Ideally, Mr. Karzai should be able to campaign in Bamiyan" in the north "and Mr. Qanooni should be able to campaign in Kandahar," said Fida Mahmad, Qanooni's campaign chief in Kandahar. "All candidates should be able to travel everywhere. We do not want the country to be divided again by tribalism and war. People are tired of dictatorships. We have a new thing called democracy, and within the framework of Islam, that is what we want."
Elections are only a few days away.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6188810/
A more detailed account at the Washington Post but you may have to register to read it. More comments:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/world...ghan100604.html
Cowperson