Karzai on trail as seven killed by mine

AFGHAN President Hamid Karzai hit the election trail yesterday for the first time since an assassination attempt last month, saying a vote in four days would be a turning point for the war-torn nation.

While the president and his main rivals campaigned ahead of Saturday’s landmark presidential election, seven policemen were reportedly killed when their vehicle drove over a land mine in Kandahar. The Taliban guerrillas who vowed to disrupt the poll were believed responsible.

Hundreds of troops and security guards, including American bodyguards, were on alert as Karzai spoke to a crowd of 10,000 people in Ghazni, southwest of Kabul.

Mr Karzai said: “This vote is not just to choose a president, but for peace and stability in Afghanistan. Instead of fighting, we are campaigning for our elections. We should be proud we have freedom at last.”

It will be the first time that Afghans will directly elect their own leader.

Eighteen candidates are in the fray.

Mr Karzai’s main challenger, Yunus Qanuni, campaigned in Kabul, addressing about 4,000 supporters in the city’s main stadium.

“You are the ones who will elect the president of Afghanistan,” the former education minister said.

“I want your support, I want your vote.”

Mr Karzai is the favourite, but it is unclear if he will get the 51% majority needed for an outright win. If no one gets a majority, the top two candidates will fight a run-off next month.