HERAT, Afghanistan, 2 October 2004 — Afghanistan’s first presidential election is just over a week away, but campaigning and enthusiasm have been muted for an event described by US President George W. Bush as one of his major achievements. Friday was the last holiday of the campaign in this Islamic nation but only one candidate appeared to take advantage of the day to take his campaign to the 10.5-million-strong electorate.

The campaign ends 48 hours before the Oct. 9 vote. President Hamid Karzai himself has not campaigned and his travel was further restricted after a suspected assassination attempt last month. Yunus Qanuni, one of 17 candidates challenging Karzai for the presidency, visited the western stronghold of a regional warlord to say he would ensure former Mujahedeen (fighters) who battled the Soviets were included in the new national army if he wins.

Qanuni, an ethnic Tajik, is considered Karzai’s main challenger and a key issue in the campaign has been the role of regional strongmen and their militias in Afghanistan’s future. “The national army, the new Afghanistan, should also include the Mujahedeen,” Qanuni told supporters at a rally at the scenic Blue Mosque in the city of Herat following Friday prayers.

“I want to build a government that includes all Afghans. It must be a professional government but include all parties. This is the same for the army.” Karzai, a member of Afghanistan’s largest Pushtun community, was handpicked by the United States for the presidency after US-led coalition forces overthrew the Taleban in 2001.

Last month, as he stood in the UN General Assembly hall in New York, Bush hailed the advent of democracy in Afghanistan. Soldiers from the 18,000-strong US-led force in Afghanistan will be deployed during voting to prevent attacks by remnants of the Taleban, who have vowed to derail the election. More than 1,000 people have died in militant-related attacks since August last year.

Karzai has angered many regional leaders since being installed as interim president by disarming their militias and seeking to curb their powers. Last month, he dismissed Herat Governor Ismail Khan, a veteran of the war against the Soviet occupation and the Taleban. He earlier ditched Defense Minister Mohammad Qasim Fahim as his running mate, prompting Qanuni to enter the presidential race.

Kabul said Ismail has been reluctant to allow his forces to be demobilized or integrated into the new Afghan army. Ismail saw the strategy as a ploy to weaken his position and impose Pushtun leadership on the Tajiks. Ismail and Qanuni were mobbed by crowds after Friday prayers, although it was difficult to say who was the main attraction.

Many left the mosque after prayers, but about 200 stayed to hear Qanuni say he was confident of victory and that former Mujahedeen should be retrained for posts in the army or government. Outside the mosque, the reception for Qanuni was indifferent. “Most people will vote for Karzai, I am sure,” said one man leaving the mosque. “We support Ismail Khan, but Karzai is doing things for all of Afghanistan, not just Herat. Even if you are from Herat, you still need the whole of Afghanistan to be peaceful.”

After his speech, a convoy of Qanuni’s vehicles toured the city, loudspeakers blaring, urging Heratis to vote next Sunday. Qanuni’s posters are prominently displayed on public buildings, but Karzai’s portrait dominates in private businesses and shops. Ismail’s refusal to publicly endorse any candidate has probably worked in Karzai’s favor — although the president’s campaign has been restricted because of security concerns. “You can criticize who you want as long as it is not Ismail Khan,” said Rafiq Shair, head of the Herat Professional Shoura, a lobby group for the city’s professionals.